Central SA
Matlosana rocked by yet another corruption scandal─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 04:59 Tue, 20 Aug 2024
“The case revolves around a payment made by the municipality in January 2024, when R2.9 million was transferred to a service provider for electrical materials that were never delivered.”
Another corruption scandal has hit the Klerksdorp-based Matlosana Local Municipality in North West, as three individuals were arrested for allegedly defrauding the municipality of R2.9 million.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations, known as the Hawks, made the arrests on Monday (19/8) as part of its ongoing crackdown on irregular transactions in the province.
The suspects, aged between 33 and 42, include the municipality’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mercy Maeba Phetla (38); store controller, Mmatebesi Josephine Sekhejane (42); and the director of the company Variegated Pty (Ltd), Tiisetso Sebetlele (33) and they were arrested. According to the Hawks’ spokesperson Tinyiko Mathebula, the trio, facing fraud charges, appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court shortly after their arrest.
The arrests on Monday are part of its ongoing crackdown on irregular transactions in the province. Picture supplied
The case revolves around a payment made by the municipality in January 2024, when R2.9 million was transferred to a service provider for electrical materials that were never delivered. The accused appeared in court for a bail hearing, where Phetla was granted bail of R35,000, Sekhejane R5,000, and Sebetlele R20,000.
The court ordered that the accused report to their nearest police station once a week and refrain from contacting state witnesses. Their case has been postponed to 12 November 2024 for further investigation.
‘Former mayor resigned amid serious corruption allegations’
This latest scandal adds to the growing list of corruption allegations plaguing the ailing municipality. The municipality recently made headlines when its former mayor, James Tsolela, resigned amid serious corruption allegations.
Reports indicate that the ANC’s provincial executive committee received evidence implicating members of the municipal leadership in corrupt activities. Tsolela was subsequently replaced by Fikile Mahlophe, who previously served as a Member of the Mayoral Committee for Electrical Engineering.
