Daniel Mthimkhulu, a former employee of the Passenger Rail Agency South Africa (Prasa), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Palm Ridge. The sentencing follows Mthimkhulu’s conviction on multiple counts, including fraud, uttering, and forgery.

Mthimkhulu was arrested in July 2015 after it was discovered that he had misrepresented his qualifications to Prasa. He falsely claimed to hold a Master’s degree from the University of Witwatersrand and a Doctorate in Engineering Management from the Technische Universität München (Munich Technical University) in Germany.

These fabrications led to his salary being unjustifiably increased from R1.6 million, as an executive manager, to R2.8 million when he was promoted to head the engineering services at Prasa. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks, played a crucial role in bringing Mthimkhulu to justice.

In addition to his prison sentence, the Johannesburg High Court, in a ruling on March 15, 2024, had already ordered the confiscation of both movable and immovable properties belonging to Mthimkhulu under section 18 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The court also mandated that Mthimkhulu pay R5.8 million to Prasa to recover the proceeds of his fraudulent actions.

Mthimkhulu was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on the first count, with additional six-year sentences for counts 4 and 8, which will be served concurrently with the 15-year sentence.

Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, welcomed the sentence and commended the investigation and prosecution teams for their efforts. He emphasized that this case, one of the many linked to State Capture, demonstrates that justice will be served, and reiterated that “crime doesn’t pay.”

This sentencing marks a significant step in addressing corruption and fraud within South Africa’s public institutions.