Another former North West municipal official already facing legal battles has been arrested again – this time alongside a co-accused attorney for allegedly looting taxpayers' money.

Tsietsi Isaac Shema (53), former municipal manager for Ditsobotla Municipality, which includes Lichtenburg, was apprehended before in connection with fraudulent activities involving municipal funds.

OFM News reported Shema had been arrested for his involvement in a tender scandal worth R760,000. Investigations into the case revealed only a small portion of the Biesiesvlei area was fenced, despite the service provider invoicing the municipality for the full amount as per the service level agreement in May 2021. Now, Shema has once again found himself in legal trouble, this time for another case of fraud.

North West Hawks spokesperson, Tinyiko Mathebula, confirmed Shema was recently arrested in Lichtenburg along with his co-accused, Thouret Mampe Thabe Tiro (41), the director of Tiro Attorneys (PTY) LTD. The two appeared in the Lichtenburg Magistrates' Court on Thursday (5/9), and are facing charges of fraud related to the procurement of legal services for the municipality.

Thouret Mampe Thabe Tiro , director of Tiro Attorneys, and Tsietsi Isaac Shema, the then acting director of Corporate Services at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality were both arrested. Photo supplied

"In May 2021 Tiro Attorneys allegedly submitted a request for payment to the municipality for legal services rendered. However, investigations revealed Tiro Attorneys did not provide any services, and Shema, along with another suspect who is still at large, allegedly approved the request for payment," Mathebula said. "As a result, the municipality suffered a loss of over R460,000 for services that were never rendered."

Shema and Tiro face four counts of fraud and an alternative theft charge. They both got bail of R8,000 yesterday and will be back in court on 10 October. 

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg