The Serious Corruption Investigation team from Hawks Nelspruit arrested Timothy Sibuyi (47), an interpreter at Mhala Regional Court, on Monday morning, September 18, 2023. Timothy Sibuyi appeared in court the same day.

According to allegations, Sibuyi spoke to the brother of an individual who had been arrested in connection with a rape case on November 17, 2022. At Mhala Magistrate Court, he extended an invitation to visit his office. He advised him that he could find a representative for his brother but would have to pay compensation because his brother did not have legal representation from a Legal Aid Attorney.

When the complainant offered him R1000, he refused, stating that the money was too little and he demanded R2500.00.

The money was raised by the family, and R2500 was deposited into his Capitec bank account.

The complainant reported the matter to the police and the case was transferred to Nelspruit Serious Corruption Investigation for further probe.

After the accused heard that a corruption case was opened, he approached the mother of the complainant, paid R2000 back, and promised to settle the outstanding amount later.

After a thorough investigation by the Hawks, a warrant for his arrest was authorized.

The accused was released on R5000 bail, and the case was postponed to 16 October 2023.

In April 2021, a Calcutta Court Interpreter Zizwe Zitha (40) was also arrested for the same modus operandi. His case was transferred to Nelspruit Regional Court on 19 November 2023.