Two former Mpumalanga municipal administrators who were arrested for violating the Public Finance Management Act on Monday have been freed on R5,000 bond each (PFMA).
Theron Zwelishe Shongwe (47) and Thusi Hezekiel Kubheka (65), who worked for the Msukaligwa Municipality in Mpumalanga, were detained by the Hawks together with the former community service manager of the municipality, Masego Mmabatho Matseka (51).
On Monday, they came before the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court following their arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team located in Nelspruit for fraud, theft, and violation of the PFMA.
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, a spokesperson for the Hawks, stated, “It is alleged that between 2014 and 2018, former municipal officials violated the PFMA by selling and exchanging municipal property, including the reservoir and the water pump, which were intended to serve the basic needs of the community.”
They also exchanged municipal properties with a higher worth for properties with a lower value in order to enrich a private individual, without regard for the fundamental benefits to the community.”
She stated that the matter was reported to the Hawks for further investigation in March of 2020.
“During the investigation, it was determined that the required procurement procedures were not followed and that the assets auctioned belonged to the municipality for the community’s benefit,” she stated.
The case against the trio has been postponed until October 6, 2022, to allow for additional investigation.