The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the plea-bargain agreement entered into by a travel operator with the directorate of special operations (Scorpions).
In a statement released by the NPA it said that travel operator Shamima Lamalia had entered into a plea-bargain agreement on Thursday. The case relates to Parliament’s travel fraud, which has been dubbed ”Travelgate”. The Scorpions made the announcement in a press statement entitled ”Net tightens around travel-fraud fraudsters”.
In terms of the deal — concluded under Section 105 A (1)(a) of the Criminal Procedure Act — Lamalia entered a guilty plea on fraud charges and agreed to testify for the state against the remaining accused, spokesperson Lucinda Moonieya said.
”Lamalia’s cooperation with the prosecution could prove crucial as she was associated with two separate travel agencies — Bathong Travel and ITC Travel — central to the alleged fraud under investigation,” said Moonieya.
The NPA reported that Lamalia, who appeared in the Bellville Regional Court before Magistrate Vermaak, admitted her guilt in committing fraud to the extent of R650 000 on behalf of MPs and deriving R78 000 in personal benefits.
It also reported that in terms of the plea and sentence agreement Lamalia was sentenced to a fine of R90 000 or five years’ imprisonment, a term of three years’ correctional supervision in terms of section 276(1)(h) of the Criminal Procedure Act and a term of seven years’ imprisonment, suspended in its entirety for a period of five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of the offences of fraud, theft, forgery and/or uttering, committed during the period of suspension.
Commenting on today’s developments, Western Cape Scorpions head Adrian Mopp said: ”This plea agreement marks another important milestone in the investigation and prosecution of this matter. The evidence that the state will present will now be enriched by having an insider explain to the court exactly how the crimes were planned and executed.”
He said further: ”The state case against the accused, including the vast volumes of documentary evidence will therefore be supplemented by Ms Lamalia’s viva voce evidence. This development, we believe, will make the state case more compelling against the remaining accused.”
Altogether 23 currently serving and former MPs are facing charges relating to Travelgate. — I-Net Bridge