Man who lied about alleged plan to assassinate Ramaphosa sentenced
Elrico Kasper from Northern Cape allegedly lied on social media about his plan to assassinate President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Elrico Kaizer Kasper, the Northern Cape man who lied on social media about an alleged plan to assassinate President Cyril Ramaphosa, has been sentenced to five years in prison.
On Wednesday, 22 May, Kasper was convicted and sentenced by De Aar Regional Court to five years of direct imprisonment for Cyber Fraud.
MAN ARRESTED FOR LYING ABOUT PLAN TO ASSASSINATE RAMAPHOSA ON SOCIAL MEDIA
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as Hawks, in March 2023, Kasper posted on his social media page that some people were planning to assassinate President Cyril Ramaphosa during his visit to De Aar on Human Rights Day celebrations.
DPCI Northern Cape spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi said a disruptive operation involving the Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation team and Crime Intelligence was operationalised, and the team located the 38-year-old man.
“He was then taken in for questioning and admitted to having posted such, citing the frustration of unemployment. He made numerous court appearances until his sentencing,” she said.
NPA WELCOMES SENTENCE
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of the accused.
NPA spokesperson in the Northern Cape Mojalefa Senokoane said they hope this sentence will deter other perpetrators of cybercrimes.
“People must be aware that the dissemination of false information through social media platforms will lead to prosecution,” he said.