Cape Town – A Northern Cape man, Elrico Kaizer Kasper, has been sentenced to five years in prison for cyber fraud after spreading rumours on social media about a plot to assassinate President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The incident occurred in March last year.
According to The Citizen, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said that the post claimed that “some people” were planning to assassinate Ramaphosa during his visit to De Aar for Human Rights Day celebrations on March 21.
“A disruptive operation consisting of the Hawks serious organised crime investigation team and crime intelligence was operationalised and the team located the said accused
“He was then taken in for questioning and he admitted to having posted such, citing the frustration of unemployment,” the report quoted Senokoatsane as saying.
Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Provincial Head, Major General Steven Mabuela, congratulated both the investigative and prosecution teams for the sterling work done, IOL reported.
“The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentencing of the accused, and hopes this sentence will work as a deterrent to other perpetrators of cyber crimes.
“Is it important that people should be aware that the dissemination of false information through social media platforms, will lead to people being prosecuted,” Mabuela said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
