By Lumka Mahanjana: NPA Regional Spokesperson: Gauteng Division, Pretoria
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence of a former McDonald’s employee, Clement Othusitse Seothaeng (27), originally from Pampierstad in Northern Cape Province who was sentenced by the Pretoria North Magistrates’ Court to 10 years direct imprisonment for extortion and malicious property damage.
He was given 10 years for extortion and 5 years for malicious damage to property. The magistrate ordered that the sentences run concurrently
Seothaeng was working at McDonald’s restaurant in Montana, as a crew member for two years. On 23 September 2017, while at work Seothaeng recorded himself in a 20-second video clip with his phone preparing a Mcflurry ice cream without showing his face, just a person wearing a uniform.
However, when preparing it, he spat inside the Mcflurry ice cream, mixed it and closed the cap. After recording himself, he sent the clip to the manager with a different number as a concerned customer demanding R150 000, to avoid the video circulated on social media.
The Manager reported the matter to the police. Immediately a trap was set up and Seothaeng was arrested a few days later on 29 September 2017.
During the aggravation of sentence, the prosecutor, David Molokomme asked the court to impose a fitting sentence to reflect society’s disapproval of such improper and illegal behaviour, using social media for anti-social behaviour.
