Central SA
Bloemfontein magistrate, fraud-accused businessman convicted─── ZENANDE MPAME 09:02 Sat, 29 Mar 2025
A Bloemfontein magistrate was convicted of defeating the ends of justice after secret communication between him and a businessman on trial for fraud was exposed.
Bloemfontein magistrate Leavit Mkansi was given a fine of R120,000 or five years behind bars and Stanley Bakili was fined R60,000 or 30 months in prison by the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Thursday.
Evidence presented in court revealed that the pair exchanged more than 192 phone calls and met frequently, including at the Bloemfontein Windmill Casino, where Bakili had a balance exceeding R9 million.
“During the trial, the court heard that the two accused frequently communicated with each other on specific days and remained in contact throughout the day,” said Free State NPA spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane.
“Stanley Bakili was arrested on 27 counts of fraud in 2013. He appeared before six magistrates before his trial finally got underway before Mkansi in February 2017, when Bakili pleaded not guilty.”
In May 2018, Bakili was again arrested on different charges, and cell phone communications between him and Mkansi came to light during his bail application in that matter, he said.
Mkansi recused himself from the case after an application was brought forward and denied the number used to contact Bakili.
Further investigation confirmed that the number did belong to him, and it was discovered that he had two additional cell phone numbers. The investigation revealed that communication between Bakili and Mkansi had begun as soon as Bakili appeared before him in court.
“During the trial, Bakili claimed he and Mkansi had been friends long before the case and that Mkansi even attended his wedding,” said Senokoatsane. “Mkansi, however, denied knowing Bakili, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.”
“The prosecution, led by State Advocate Dansi Mpemvane, proved that Mkansi not only failed to disclose their relationship but also made false statements in court. “
Both men guilty
The court found both men guilty, reinforcing the message that corruption and abuse of power within the judiciary will not go unpunished, he said.
Bakili was accused of organising a hit on Bloemfontein businessman and City Med managing director, Louis Siemens, who was gunned down in the basement parking lot of Preller Square in broad daylight in May 2018.
