By Khanyisile Ngcobo
Daniel Mtimkulu, the disgraced former chief engineer of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa), has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for committing fraud. The sentencing follows his conviction in 2022 on multiple charges related to falsifying his academic qualifications and submitting a fake employment offer from a German company to secure an inflated salary.
Mtimkulu appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, where Magistrate Philip Venter handed down the sentence. The court sentenced him to 15 years for the primary charge of fraud, while two additional counts were given six-year terms each, to run concurrently with the first sentence, resulting in an effective 15-year prison term.
Mtimkulu was found to have fabricated a list of academic qualifications, which included a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, a BTech Degree, and a Doctorate in Engineering Management, among others. He claimed to have obtained these degrees from prominent South African institutions, including the Vaal University of Technology and the University of the Witwatersrand. Furthermore, Mtimkulu submitted a fake job offer from a German company to Prasa, which led the state-owned entity to increase his salary from R1.65 million annually to R2.8 million from 2010 to 2015.
This fraudulent salary hike resulted in significant financial losses for Prasa, which relied on the bogus qualifications and job offer to justify the salary increase.
In addition to the prison sentence, Mtimkulu has been ordered to pay restitution for the fraudulently obtained salary increase. In March 2023, the Asset Forfeiture Unit obtained an order to seize over R5.5 million from Mtimkulu’s properties located in Johannesburg, Langebaan, and Cape Town. This amount represents the difference between his original salary and the inflated figure he received due to the fake German job offer.
The ruling marks another significant step in the ongoing efforts to hold public officials accountable for corruption and fraudulent activities.
The case against Mtimkulu underscores the damage caused by corruption and misrepresentation within public service. His actions not only misused state resources but also betrayed the trust of his colleagues and the public. With his sentencing, the judiciary has reinforced the message that individuals who exploit their positions for personal gain will face severe legal consequences.
Mtimkulu’s conviction is part of a larger crackdown on corruption within state-owned enterprises in South Africa, as authorities continue to target fraudulent practices and seek restitution for public entities.