Former Bojanala District Manager, Pogisho Patrick Shikwane (51), on Monday appeared before the court for the first time to face charges of fraud and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), involving a tender worth R2,4 million.

ALSO READ: Another former North West MM due in court for fraud

According to the Hawks provincial spokesperson, Tlangelani Rikhotso, it is alleged that on 8 December 2017, whilst serving as an acting manager, Shikwane irregularly appointed the Big Time Strategic Consultants Company to provide Information Communication Technology (ICT) audit services and develop an ICT strategy for the municipality for over R2,4 million.

Rikhotso says despite the payment and appointment by Shikwane, it is alleged that services were not rendered to the Bojanala District Municipality, however, over R2,4 million was allegedly paid unlawfully to Big Time Strategic Consultants. Shikwane is set to re-appear in the same court on 26 September 2022 for disclosure.

According to a source in the upper echelons, the manager was arrested over the weekend in Makapanstad and detained at the Rustenburg Police Station for his first court appearance.

The former manager in question is said to have gone against the advice of municipal officials who advised him not to award a tender to the service provider but their calls seemingly fell on deaf ears. These officials who advised him, are said to have conducted screening on tender documents received from another North West municipality and found that the appointment of the company in this particular municipality was not in accordance with the terms of the public procurement process.

“The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, welcomed the arrest of Shikwane and lauded the investigative efforts of the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit and the work of the National Prosecuting Authority for ensuring that the accused has his day in court. 

It is reported that Big Time Strategic Consultants was appointed to render the same services at the Moses Kotane Municipality, where the accused previously served as a Municipal Manager.

"The accused allegedly obtained written consent to inherit the said contract from Moses Kotane Municipality as per Regulation 32 of 2005 of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations,” Rikhotso adds.

It is reported that the municipality had not budget for the service at the time and a similar service had recently been obtained by the municipality.

OFM News