Cape Town – Mpumalanga police arrested a mother and her son on Thursday for making false statements following a car accident in 2018.
In a statement, police spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said that Ralph Mohlala, 23, and his mother Silvia Mohlala, 55, were involved in a car accident on the Ohrigstad road between Hlabekisa and Matibidi in the early hours of August 5, 2018.
“A Polo VW overturned with five passengers inside – three females and two males, and only four were injured in the accident. A case docket of reckless and negligent driving was opened and investigated by Dientjie Detectives,” said Sekgotodi.
Statements were obtained from all who were in the car. However, it was discovered that false statements were obtained, including a warning statement from someone who was not the driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident.
As a result, the case was assigned to Hawks Nelspruit’s Serious Corruption Investigation for further investigation.
The Hawks discovered that Ralph was driving without a driver’s license on the day of the accident and was not the one who submitted the warning statement.
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“It was further revealed that the investigating officer who was also a detective commander colluded with Silvia Mohlala, the mother of Ralph to use a civilian who was not present during the accident to give false statement purporting to be the driver during the accident,” said Sekgotodi.
Four suspects were arrested and brought to court in 2021. They were all released on bail of R10 000 each.
Last week Ralph and his mother were found guilty.
Silvia was sentenced to 24 months in prison for conspiracy to commit a fraud crime. Ralph was sentenced to a R3 000 fine or six months in prison, both of which were suspended for three years, for reckless and negligent driving.
He was also sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for three years, with the condition that he did not drive a vehicle without a driver’s licence. On a count of defeating or obstructing the administration of justice, he was also sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for three years.
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Compiled by Sinothando Siyolo
