The three suspects who appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrates\u2019 Court for fraud and corruption at the Dihlabeng Local Municipality have each been granted bail set at R10 000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They are expected to appear in court again on 18 September, to allow for further investigation in the meantime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thabang Johannes Thinyane (43), a service provider; Ntokozo Erick Shabalala (43), a director at the Dihlabeng Municipality; and Lekgetho Isaac Mokgathle (53), a municipal manager at Dihlabeng, face charges of fraud, forgery, uttering and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This comes after the trio were arrested in Bethlehem on Friday, 23 August, by members of the Hawks\u2019 Serious Corruption Investigation team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
During 2023, the Hawks received information from the premier\u2019s office in the Free State regarding allegations of fraud at the municipality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is alleged that the former municipal manager and director of public works, infrastructure and human settlement irregularly appointed a service provider without following due process, to supply and install diesel generators at water treatment plants in the Saulspoort dam. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was further claimed that the municipal manager and director had drafted an appointment letter for a service provider at a cost of R7,2 million. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The service provider however apparently only erected the slab at the site and invoiced the municipality an amount of R611 000. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a result of the fraudulent activities, the municipality was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of R611 000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The three suspects who appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrates\u2019 Court for fraud and corruption at the Dihlabeng Local Municipality have each been granted bail set at R10 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