The two women plus the company at the centre of alleged tender fraud in the Letsemeng Local Municipality are set to reappear in the Koffiefontein Magistrates’ Court on 25 March.
The accused are: Dineo Gloria Tsikang (38), current chief financial officer (CFO) at the municipality, and Sebolelo Alphoncina Mochesane (36), as well as her company, Nkhesebo Solutions.
They face charges ranging from fraud to corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, as well as forgery and uttering.
This follows their arrest by the Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
Tsikang and Mochesane were granted bail of R50 000 and R80 000, respectively, during their first appearance on 12 December last year.
Investigation by the Hawks saw tender documents seized after the court had granted an order to search and seize tender documents early last year. Documents include bid documents, payment batches, and an acceptance letter of the tender.
The tender worth R40 million for the upgrade of a reservoir supplying Koffiefontein and the Ditlhake township was awarded to Mochesane’s company in August in 2022. Initial excavation work was underway.
Sebolelo Alphoncina Mochesane
WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Tsikang, who was the acting municipal manager at the time the tender was awarded, is charged with fraud, corruption and contravention of the municipal finance management act, while the company and director are charged with fraud; forgery and uttering; and contravention of the municipal finance management act.
“It is alleged that on 15 May 2022, a bid for bulk water upgrade in Koffiefontein and Ditlhake was advertised at R38 million, with the closing date being 13 June 2022,” said Matoti.
“The accused company bid for the tender. Amongst the documents submitted were a falsified performance certificate and an appointment letter. Then on 12 August 2022, the former acting municipal manager allegedly appointed the accused company, regardless of it not meeting the requirements.”
