In a landmark ruling at the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday, former mayor Nomagugu Luzulane (49) of the now-defunct Ingwe Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal was sentenced to seven years in prison for fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, who led the investigation, revealed that the charges stemmed from Luzulane’s actions during her tenure as mayor in April 2012. At that time, she initiated a community project ostensibly aimed at assisting the impoverished residents of the municipality, which has since been renamed Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
However, Luzulane’s true intentions came to light when it was discovered that she had purchased food parcels under the pretense of aiding the community, only to redirect the supplies to the funeral of her alleged lover’s relative. Additionally, she hired a tent and sound system for the funeral, along with a catering company, paying a total of R50,000 from municipal funds. The investigation revealed that this amount was later allegedly paid back to her in cash, resulting in a significant financial loss of R71,500 for the municipality.
The Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation took up the case, leading to Luzulane’s arrest in 2017. After a prolonged legal process, she was found guilty in July 2023 and has now been sentenced to seven years in prison. However, two years of the sentence are suspended for five years on the condition that she does not face additional convictions for fraud or theft during this period.
In addition to the fraud charges, Luzulane was handed a three-year sentence for three counts of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act. The court ruled that both sentences would run concurrently.
The sentencing sends a strong message about the consequences of corruption within the municipal sphere and highlights the commitment of law enforcement agencies to hold public officials accountable for their actions. The residents of the municipality hope that this judgment will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to exploit their positions for personal gain.