KOMANI – The Hawks’ Komani-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit has arrested Liziwe Eudocia Mxi (57), an Administrative Clerk at the Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Laboratory, on 8 May in connection with allegations of theft involving public funds.
Mxi appeared before the Komani Magistrate’s Court on the same day as her arrest and was released on a warning.
According to the Hawks’ spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, Mxi was employed as an Administrative Clerk at the Veterinary Laboratory under the Department of Agriculture during the 2023/24 financial year.
He said that, as part of her official duties, Mxi was entrusted with receiving payments from members of the public and depositing such funds into the official departmental bank account.
“It is alleged that the suspect intentionally failed to deposit certain monies received on behalf of the department and instead unlawfully appropriated the funds for personal enrichment,” said Mhlakuvana.
He said that following the discovery of the alleged financial irregularities, a criminal case was opened, and the matter was subsequently referred to the Hawks for further investigation.
“Investigation by the Hawks exposed that the alleged criminal conduct resulted in an estimated financial loss of R60,000 suffered by the State,” said Mhlakuvana.
He further said that meticulous investigation culminated in the successful execution of an arrest on 8 May.
Mhlakuvana said that Mxi appeared in court, and the matter was remanded to 26 May 2026 for transfer to the Komani Regional Court.
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