THOHOYANDOU - A Thulamela official was sentenced to five months imprisonment for selling an RDP house to a police officer who was looking for a stand.

Mashudu Philemon Nethengwe (37) of Ngovhela, who was employed as a general worker in the municipality in 1997, before he was transferred to help in the office, sold a stand to Nidvhuwo Mulaudzi for R5 000, of which he paid R2 000 as a deposit. The deal was made late last year, even though Nethengwe was not in that department.

When Mulaudzi went to occupy the stand in Unit C, he found that the stand was for an RDP house. Mulaudzi then became more suspicious when he tried to get a deed of grant from the municipality, where he found that the stand belonged to someone.

Mulaudzi then demanded his money back from Nethengwe, unsuccessfully. He then reported the case to the police who arrested Nethengwe.

The court found that Nethengwe had forged the signature of the secretary of the municipality in the papers that he gave to Mulaudzi.

His case was heard last week Friday and was finalised on Saturday. The municipal manager, Mr Makonde Mathivha, said he only became aware of the incident last Sunday, when he visited Unit C to solve problems about the allocation of stands and housing in the area.

Mathivha also added that they were going to serve Nethengwe with a letter of dismissal in the prison. "If a member of the municipality is found to be involved in any criminal activities and happens to he found guilty by the court, then such person should be dismissed," said Mathivha, who added that they have already informed the province about the matter.

Mathivha also urged the community members who might have come across similar incidents in any area to report such things at the office.