Two former senior officials of Dihlabeng Municipality and a businessman were arrested last week on charges of fraud. Photo: Supplied
The former municipal manager of Dihlabeng Municipality was arrested on Friday along with the former director of the municipality’s Public Works, Infrastructure and Human Habitation Department by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team.
Also arrested was businessman Thabang Thinyane, who was hired to provide services to the municipality.
Former municipal manager Lekgetho Mokgathle and director Ntokozo Tshabalala appeared alongside Thinyane in Bethlehem court on Friday.
The trio are accused of fraud, forgery, uttering (intentionally issuing a false document) and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The suspects were granted R10,000 bail and the case was adjourned to September 18 for further investigation.
It is alleged that Mokgathle and Tshabalala irregularly appointed Thinyane as a service provider for the supply and installation of diesel generators at the Sol Plaatje Dam water treatment plant on the outskirts of Bethlehem, without following proper procedures.
In a press statement, Hawks Captain Christopher Singo said the municipality “suffered a total loss of R611,000”.
Singo said the Hawks received the information about the alleged fraud at the municipality from the Free State premier’s office last year.
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