KIMBERLEY – On Friday, 17 February 2023, Beauty Kilelo (42) was sentenced by the Kimberley Commercial Crimes Court after she was found guilty of fraud and money laundering.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Captain Tebogo Thebe, Kilelo had created ghost workers and captured and authorised suspicious salary payments at Sol Plaatjie Municipality in Kimberley between 2011 and 2016. The investigation uncovered that the municipality had suffered a loss of R778 864.54 as a result.
Having been relieved of her duties after an internal investigation, Kilelo implicated other municipal officials during the trial, which led to the opening of another docket for further investigation.
The court ordered Kilelo to pay back the full amount of the municipality’s loss, which was R778 864.54. Furthermore, she was sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment wholly suspended for 5 years on the condition that she is not convicted of fraud and money laundering during the period of suspension. Additionally, Kilelo was sentenced to house arrest at an address to be determined by the Commissioner of Correctional Service and to 16 hours per month of community service.
The sentence serves as a warning to those who consider engaging in fraudulent activities. Crimes of this nature are taken very seriously and those found guilty will be held accountable.
Tags: Sol Plaatje Municipality