FORMER MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES ARRESTED FOR OVER R34.7MILLION FRAUD AND CORRUPTION
MPUMALANGA: Phakamile Thwala( 50) Former Acting Municipal Manager of Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Municipality and currently employed as a member of Mpumalanga Legislature, Linda Bennet Tshabala(61), Former Municipal Manager, Luthando Mpangeva(37), Former Project Management Unit, who have a previously pending case for Fraud and Corruption. He is still attending court which was postponed to 1 July 2023.
Nicolus Fezile Thabo Buthelezi(65), Former Director of the Project Management Unit ( resigned),
Bhekuyise Happy Buthelezi(40) Current technician for Project Management Unit and Joseph Solly Madubula Mabuza (50), Former Municipal Manager and currently a Service Provider who was awarded a tender in the same Municipality together with his company were arrested by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Thursday, 30 March 2023 facing charges of:
- Contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act, Act no.56 of 2003.
- Corruption(Receiving a benefit) and
- Fraud. The amount involved is R34 758 039.92.
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The suspects appeared before the Volksrust Magistrate Court on the same day and they were granted R35000.00 bail each except Luthando Mpangeva who was granted R40 000.00 bail whereby the court explained that he has to get higher bail because he have a previous case for a similar matter.
The case was postponed to 6 July 2023. The court impose conditions on all of them that they must not interfere with the investigation and that they should be released only after the bail amount is paid in full. The court further warned them that if they don’t come to court on the day set, the court will issue a warrant of arrest against them and bail money will be forfeited to the state.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
