In another blow to municipal governance in North West, the former municipal manager and former project manager at the Lichtenburg-based Ditsobotla Municipality find themselves accused of mismanaging of funds.

Tsietsi Isaac Shema (53) and Thamsanqa Mtshali (40) appeared in the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday (25/4). They were arrested by the Hawks in Mahikeng and Zeerust earlier that day. They were both granted bail of R5,000 and the case was postponed to 13 May.

Shema and Mtshali face charges of fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). They were arrested following a forensic report which revealed they awarded a tender of about R760,000 to a service provider to supply and install Clearview fences and gates in the Biesiesvlei area.

The former Ditsobola  Municipal Manager was arrested for fraud. Photo: Hawks

Investigations revealed only a small portion of the Biesiesvlei area was fenced, said North West police spokesperson Tinyiko Mathebula, but the service provider invoiced the municipality for work completed during May 2021 in terms of the service level agreement.

Their arrest underscores the persistent challenges facing local governance structures in South Africa, particularly in the realm of financial management and accountability. Municipalities in North West and across the country have long been plagued by allegations of mismanagement, corruption, and maladministration, eroding public trust and confidence in these critical institutions.

Patrick Shikwane (51), former municipal manager of the Bojanala District Municipality, which includes Rustenburg, was arrested in September 2023for wrongdoing linked to an R2.4 million tender. At the time, Shikwane was arrested for irregularly awarding a tender to a service provider who allegedly did not even do the work. Months later the suspect again found himself in trouble with the law for having authorised payment of R1 million to the company without following due processes.

Former Mahikeng municipal manager, 70-year-old Hennie Smit, was arrested on 10 October 2023 and released on bail for allegedly selling municipal land valued at R144 million without council approval and further ignoring the bidding process.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg