Johannesburg - The Gauteng housing department welcomed on Sunday a housing official being jailed by the Sebokeng Magistrate's Court for fraudulently selling RDP houses.
Lerato Motshoeneng was sentenced on Thursday to two years' imprisonment, one year of which was suspended for five years, for fraud, spokesman Motsamai Motlhaolwa said in a statement.
Motshoeneng, who was an official on the Evaton Renewal Project, sold an RDP house built as part of the project, for R15 000.
The person who bought the house from him asked for their money back when they found it was already occupied. When Motshoeneng could not repay the money, the buyer blew the whistle on him, said Motlhaolwa.
"He solicited a bribe from the very people who entrusted him with the responsibility to be their eyes and ears," said Local Government and Housing MEC Ntombi Mekgwe.
"He abused his position and I am glad that he has been found guilty."