Rhulani Innocent Tshuketana (36), his entity, and Lusapho Donald Williams (40), an employee at the Emthanjeni Municipality, made a brief appearance before the Petrusville Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 3 December, facing charges of corruption and money laundering.
Tshuketana and his entity were arrested the previous day in Midrand whilst Williams was arrested on Tuesday at his place of work, both by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) Serious Corruption Investigation team.
It is alleged that during March 2020, a tender was awarded to Ribilwa Trading Enterprise to provide the municipality, which renders services to amongst other De Aar, Hanover, and Britstown, with personal protective equipment without following proper supply chain management procedures, stated WO Nomthandazo Mnisi, spokesperson for the Hawks.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the company was awarded tenders repeatedly, in a short space of time.
It was further discovered that Williams, a youth coordinator who is an employee of the Emthanjeni Municipality, has been receiving gratification from the director of Ribilwa Trading Enterprise, which is Tshuketana.
Williams did not disclose any business interests outside his scope of employment and was not authorised to receive any remuneration outside his scope of employment.
Payments received by Ribilwa Trading Enterprise from the Renosterberg Municipality amounts to R1 938 455, and payments received by Williams from Tshuketana amounts to R178 900.
In October, the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court found Ribilwa Trading Enterprise guilty and it was sentenced to a fine of R30 000 which is payable on or before 31 March at the Kimberley Clerk of the Court, whilst Tshuketani was sentenced to a fine of R50 000 of which R1 500 must have been paid on or before 7 November. Thereafter, R1 500 must be paid on or before the seventh of each consecutive month until the fine is fully paid. The combined fine for both the entity and the owner amounts to R80 000.
Both accused were granted R1 000 bail each and the case is postponed to 14 April at the De Aar Regional Court.
