The Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced Ugandan national Richard Juuko, 53, to an effective 18 years’ direct imprisonment after he was convicted on multiple counts of fraud and money laundering linked to a sophisticated tender scam that defrauded businesspeople of more than R429,000.
Juuko was found guilty on five counts of fraud and five counts of money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
The court heard that during 2020, he operated within Limpopo, targeting businesspersons through a coordinated email scam in which he impersonated government departments.
He reportedly sent fraudulent emails using official-looking letterheads and logos of departments including Water and Sanitation, Mineral Resources, and Energy in Mpumalanga.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Mashudu Malabi claimed that victims were falsely informed that they had been awarded tenders and were instructed to purchase goods, while being provided with banking details linked to associates of the accused.
“During 2020, the accused operated within the regional division of Limpopo, engaging in a fraudulent scheme targeting businesspersons,” Malabi said.
The NPA further detailed how victims received separate emails bearing official departmental branding, which misled them into transferring funds under the belief they were fulfilling legitimate government contracts.
Juuko was arrested shortly after being convicted in a separate fraud matter in March 2022, in which he received either six years’ imprisonment or a R30,000 fine, which he paid.
During the trial, he pleaded guilty to all charges, including assisting others to benefit from unlawful proceeds. The offences resulted in a total loss of R429,000.
In aggravation of sentence, Senior State Advocate Martin Molokwane told the court that fraud and money laundering continue to undermine the economy and require firm judicial intervention.
“There is a growing outcry in society for the courts to address money laundering through the imposition of appropriate sentences,” Malabi said, adding that the accused had deliberately designed a sophisticated scheme and deserved a deterrent sentence.
The court agreed with the State, imposing a structured sentence in which Juuko received 10 years for one fraud count, eight years for the remaining fraud counts, and eight years for each money laundering charge. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently, except for counts 1 and 3, resulting in an effective 18-year prison term.
Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Ivy Thenga commended Senior State Advocate Martin Molokwane, Advocate Nondumiso Vilakazi, and the investigating team for securing the conviction.
“The court ordered that the sentences on all other counts run concurrently, except for counts 1 and 3, resulting in an effective sentence of 18 years’ direct imprisonment,” Malabi confirmed.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, saying it would serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders and help restore public confidence in the justice system.
