{"id":305913,"date":"2026-01-29T07:21:48","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T05:21:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T16:50:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:50:51","slug":"court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/","title":{"rendered":"Court sentenced one person in ghost workers scheme at the Free State municipality, three others due in court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BETHLEHEM – An investigation by the Free State’s Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team involving a “ghost workers scheme” at the Dihlabeng Local Municipality has culminated in the sentencing of one accused person, while three others are due in court. The Bethlehem Magistrates Court has sentenced one accused Reitumetse Moeng (28) to three years\u2019 imprisonment, wholly suspended on the condition that she repay the municipality amount of R84 598.22. The suspension includes the condition that she is not convicted of the same crime during that period. She was sentenced on Thursday 22 January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remaining trio are set to reappear in court from 4 till 6 February. They include two former officials, Seipati Mavis Mabula, Nkosi Patrice Mondi, and Rerang Nchabane, a civilian. Mabula and Mondi held the positions of director of corporate services and director of local economic development (LED), respectively. The accused face charges of fraud, theft and contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bethlehem’s Hawks\u2019 Serious Corruption Investigation team arrested the trio in March 2023, and they were released on R5 000 bail each. Five individuals were arrested.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WO Fikiswa Matoti, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the discovery of the ghost workers fraud scheme was made in 2021 at municipality. The ANC-led municipality runs the towns of Bethlehem, Clarens, Fouriesburg and Paul Roux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The court found Moeng guilty of fraudulently receiving a monthly salary of R9 399,80 over nine months (totalling R84 598,22), despite never working for the municipality. “A thorough investigation revealed that Moeng was one of the individuals fraudulently receiving a monthly salary from the municipality between May 2021 and January 2022,” said Matoti.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
Rerang Nchabane PHOTOS: Supplied<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The investigations into the scam led to her arrest on 14 July last year, and she was subsequently released on bail set at R5 000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matoti confirmed that charges have been provisionally withdrawn against one accused Moeketsi Calvin Motloung (civilian).
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"\/
Nkosi Patrice Mondi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The investigations found that civilians, including the convicted Moeng, received significant amounts of money through the “ghost workers employment scam,” despite not working for the municipality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Nchabane, allegedly received a monthly salary of approximately R12 083,33 as a contracted worker between January 2020 and December 2021 without ever reporting for duty. Mondi allegedly instructed a subordinate to create a fraudulent attendance register for Nchabane. Thereafter, Mabula allegedly signed Nchabane’s contract and was present when the creation of the fraudulent attendance register was ordered. It emerged that Mabula was serving as the acting municipal manager at the time she facilitated the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The scheme reportedly resulted in a total loss of more than R290 000 for the municipality between January 2020 and December 2021. Neither Mabula nor Mondi is currently employed by the municipality, as their contracts lapsed prior to their arrests.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, a directive from the National Treasury mandates all departments and municipalities countrywide, to conduct a full physical verification of every person on their payroll by 28 February. The Treasury’s binding circular issued on 8 September last year, requires this of all departments. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This move aimed at rooting out ghost workers, is expected to uncover more cases in affected provinces, which include the Free State and result in more arrests. The National Treasury and the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) launched a nationwide physical verification audit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Court sentenced a civilian involved in a ghost workers scheme at a municipality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":305917,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"65","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"30","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozamthathaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_eb_attr":"","_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"2026-01-28","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"3","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"[{\"keyword\":\"municipality \",\"score\":93},{\"keyword\":\"Municipality \",\"score\":93},{\"keyword\":\"Municipality \",\"score\":93},{\"keyword\":\"Municipality \",\"score\":93}]","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\",\"Municipality \",\"\",\"\",\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"1","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"1","article_feature_type":"normal","article_main_image_caption":"Seipati Mavis Mabula","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"Teboo Setena","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Ghost worker activities investigated","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[""],"pongrass_image":["EXMoengfraud_P1|EXMoengfraud_P2|EXMoengfraud_P3"],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8837,1],"tags":[7911,7874,91],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-305913","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-court","category-news","tag-crime","tag-local-news","tag-top"],"yoast_head":"\nFraud Charges Filed in Ghost Workers Scheme | BloemNews Express<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Three accused face fraud charges in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality ghost workers scheme. Read more about the case developments.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Court sentenced one person in ghost workers scheme at the Free State municipality, three others due in court\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Three accused face fraud charges in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality ghost workers scheme. Read more about the case developments.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BloemNews Express\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bloemnuus\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-01-29T05:21:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-31T14:50:51+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1197\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1110\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"BloemNews Express\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"BloemNews Express\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"BloemNews Express\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/80d72f2891bdddfdd35ed12cd10a5925\"},\"headline\":\"Court sentenced one person in ghost workers scheme at the Free State municipality, three others due in court\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-29T05:21:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-31T14:50:51+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":548,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Crime\",\"Local News\",\"Top\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Court\",\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#respond\"]}],\"copyrightYear\":\"2026\",\"copyrightHolder\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#organization\"}},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/\",\"name\":\"Fraud Charges Filed in Ghost Workers Scheme | BloemNews Express\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-01-29T05:21:48+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-31T14:50:51+00:00\",\"description\":\"Three accused face fraud charges in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality ghost workers scheme. Read more about the case developments.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg\",\"width\":1197,\"height\":1110},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Court sentenced one person in ghost workers scheme at the Free State municipality, three others due in court\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/\",\"name\":\"BloemNuus\",\"description\":\"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"BloemNuus\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/bloem-nuus-site-icon.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/03\\\/bloem-nuus-site-icon.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"BloemNuus\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/bloemnuus\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/bloemnuus\"],\"description\":\"BloemNews is a prominent newspaper in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State province in South Africa. BloemNews serves the local community with coverage of regional news, events, and issues of interest. The newspaper provides updates on a variety of topics, including local politics, business, sports, and social matters, with a focus on the city and surrounding areas. Its publication is a reflection of Bloemfontein\u2019s vibrant community, catering to both English and Afrikaans-speaking readers. It also serves as an important platform for local advertising, businesses, and public announcements. In Bloemfontein, BloemNews is often considered a key source of information.\",\"email\":\"bloemnuus@novusmedia.co.za\",\"telephone\":\"051-4047600\",\"legalName\":\"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd\",\"foundingDate\":\"2025-01-01\",\"vatID\":\"4100318916\",\"taxID\":\"2000\\\/018234\\\/07\",\"numberOfEmployees\":{\"@type\":\"QuantitativeValue\",\"minValue\":\"51\",\"maxValue\":\"200\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/80d72f2891bdddfdd35ed12cd10a5925\",\"name\":\"BloemNews Express\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/5ade73cf778a97097108bf55ea61b2a6037a918e9a09aac485202e6c60819614?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/5ade73cf778a97097108bf55ea61b2a6037a918e9a09aac485202e6c60819614?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/5ade73cf778a97097108bf55ea61b2a6037a918e9a09aac485202e6c60819614?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"BloemNews Express\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/novanews.co.za\\\/bloemnewsexpress\\\/author\\\/bloemexpress\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Fraud Charges Filed in Ghost Workers Scheme | BloemNews Express","description":"Three accused face fraud charges in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality ghost workers scheme. Read more about the case developments.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Court sentenced one person in ghost workers scheme at the Free State municipality, three others due in court","og_description":"Three accused face fraud charges in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality ghost workers scheme. Read more about the case developments.","og_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/","og_site_name":"BloemNews Express","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bloemnuus\/","article_published_time":"2026-01-29T05:21:48+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-31T14:50:51+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1197,"height":1110,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"BloemNews Express","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"BloemNews Express","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/"},"author":{"name":"BloemNews Express","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/80d72f2891bdddfdd35ed12cd10a5925"},"headline":"Court sentenced one person in ghost workers scheme at the Free State municipality, three others due in court","datePublished":"2026-01-29T05:21:48+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-31T14:50:51+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/"},"wordCount":548,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg","keywords":["Crime","Local News","Top"],"articleSection":["Court","News"],"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#respond"]}],"copyrightYear":"2026","copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#organization"}},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/","name":"Fraud Charges Filed in Ghost Workers Scheme | BloemNews Express","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg","datePublished":"2026-01-29T05:21:48+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-31T14:50:51+00:00","description":"Three accused face fraud charges in the Dihlabeng Local Municipality ghost workers scheme. Read more about the case developments.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg","width":1197,"height":1110},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court-sentenced-one-person-in-ghost-workers-scheme-at-the-free-state-municipality-three-others-due-in-court\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Court sentenced one person in ghost workers scheme at the Free State municipality, three others due in court"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#website","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/","name":"BloemNuus","description":"To Inform, Engage and Empower Local Communities","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#organization","name":"BloemNuus","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bloem-nuus-site-icon.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/bloem-nuus-site-icon.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"BloemNuus"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/bloemnuus\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bloemnuus"],"description":"BloemNews is a prominent newspaper in Bloemfontein, the capital of the Free State province in South Africa. BloemNews serves the local community with coverage of regional news, events, and issues of interest. The newspaper provides updates on a variety of topics, including local politics, business, sports, and social matters, with a focus on the city and surrounding areas. Its publication is a reflection of Bloemfontein\u2019s vibrant community, catering to both English and Afrikaans-speaking readers. It also serves as an important platform for local advertising, businesses, and public announcements. In Bloemfontein, BloemNews is often considered a key source of information.","email":"bloemnuus@novusmedia.co.za","telephone":"051-4047600","legalName":"Novus Media (Pty) Ltd","foundingDate":"2025-01-01","vatID":"4100318916","taxID":"2000\/018234\/07","numberOfEmployees":{"@type":"QuantitativeValue","minValue":"51","maxValue":"200"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/#\/schema\/person\/80d72f2891bdddfdd35ed12cd10a5925","name":"BloemNews Express","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ade73cf778a97097108bf55ea61b2a6037a918e9a09aac485202e6c60819614?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ade73cf778a97097108bf55ea61b2a6037a918e9a09aac485202e6c60819614?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5ade73cf778a97097108bf55ea61b2a6037a918e9a09aac485202e6c60819614?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"BloemNews Express"},"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/author\/bloemexpress\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/SeipatiMavisMabulagh_62250-e1769669621674.jpg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":305985,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/three-accused-implicated-in-the-dihlabeng-municipalitys-ghost-workers-scheme-back-in-court\/","url_meta":{"origin":305913,"position":0},"title":"Three accused implicated in the Dihlabeng municipality\u2019s ghost workers scheme back in court","author":"Teboho Setena","date":"5 February 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Trio in court to answer to ghost workers scheme at Free State municipality","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dihlabeng-Local-Municipality-ghost-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dihlabeng-Local-Municipality-ghost-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dihlabeng-Local-Municipality-ghost-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dihlabeng-Local-Municipality-ghost-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dihlabeng-Local-Municipality-ghost-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dihlabeng-Local-Municipality-ghost-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":305835,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/former-maluti-a-phofung-municipal-manager-director-of-private-company-charged-with-fraud\/","url_meta":{"origin":305913,"position":1},"title":"Former Maluti-A-Phofung municipal manager, director of private company charged with fraud","author":"BloemNews Express","date":"15 January 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Two in court over tender fraud at Maluti A Phofung municipality","rel":"","context":"In "Court"","block_context":{"text":"Court","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/court\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LelokonyaneIsakLetse_39162-e1768462535779.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LelokonyaneIsakLetse_39162-e1768462535779.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LelokonyaneIsakLetse_39162-e1768462535779.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LelokonyaneIsakLetse_39162-e1768462535779.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/LelokonyaneIsakLetse_39162-e1768462535779.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":304529,"url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/covid19-looter-sentenced-for-act-of-fraud\/","url_meta":{"origin":305913,"position":2},"title":"Covid19 looter sentenced for fraud and money laundering","author":"Teboho Setena","date":"3 September 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Owner and company sentenced for Covid-19 fraud","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ThapeloAlfredLephond_39239-e1756879508407.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ThapeloAlfredLephond_39239-e1756879508407.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ThapeloAlfredLephond_39239-e1756879508407.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ThapeloAlfredLephond_39239-e1756879508407.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ThapeloAlfredLephond_39239-e1756879508407.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"BloemNews Express","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305913","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305913"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305913\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":305916,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305913\/revisions\/305916"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/305917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305913"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305913"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305913"},{"taxonomy":"newspack_spnsrs_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/newspack_spnsrs_tax?post=305913"},{"taxonomy":"publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/publication?post=305913"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}