The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), known as the Hawks, Godfrey Lebeya, on Tuesday revealed that more arrests are expected.

During a media briefing held in Pretoria, Lebeya said more than 2 391 statements have been gathered by the Hawks’ investigators. A total of 27 suspects have been arrested so far for the investment with the now defunct bank, where 20 municipalities lost at least R1,6 billion. A former Mahikeng Municipal Manager, Thabo Mokwena, is one of those arrested.

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Four North West municipalities were found to have illegally invested R314 million of taxpayers’ money.

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The 27 suspects face more than 188 charges.

The financially troubled Madibeng Local Municipality invested R31 million of their conditional grant, while the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality invested R150 million, the Moretele Local Municipality invested R50 million from their water services infrastructure grant, and the Mahikeng Municipality invested over R83 million.

The case of VBS has received massive coverage since its inception and a conviction has also been secured. This follows an intensive, prosecution-aimed investigation by the Hawks into the inappropriate administering of state funds into the Venda Mutual Bank by the Municipalities,” Lebeya adds.

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