Hawks arrested two former acting municipal managers for contravening Municipal Finance Management Act back in 2016 and 2017 and both suspects appeared in court on Thursday.
Mothusi Oagile(50) and Leopold Letlhogonolo Fourie(53) appeared before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrates' Court after they were arrested yesterday.
According to Warrant Officer Amogelang Malwetse,the duo,who are both former acting municipal managers for the Mamusa Local Municipality,allegedly appointed two security companies without following supply chain processes.
Malwetse said reports indicate that Oagile,who was appointed as the acting municipal manager from November 2016 to March 2017,appointed Ipelegeng Protection Services to security services to Mamusa Local Municipality without following proper processes.As a result,the municipality suffered a loss amounting to R969 000-00.
Malwetse also revealed that even the successor of Oagile continued on his footsteps when he appointed another security provider.
He revealed that reports further indicate that Fourie,who was Oiagile's successor appointed from April to May 2017 allegedly terminated the services of Ipelegeng security company and appointed Triumph security company to render the same services to the municipality without following supply chain processes.As a result,the municipality suffered a loss of R450 000-00.
According to Malwetse,the matter was referred to the Klerksdorp based Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation Unit for investigation.
He also said that the accused appeared in court and were released on bail.Oagile was granted R6 000-00 bail,while Fourie was granted R3 000-00.Their matter was postponed to 20 February 2025.
He concluded that the North West Acting Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation,Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West,Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the investigation and prosecution team for their relentless efforts in fighting mismanagement of finances in municipalities.
One more suspect arrested for cash-in-transit heist
Hawks arrested 42-year-old suspect which is accused of armed robbery at the liquor store in Heilbron two months ago.
According to Captain Christopher Singo,the suspect was arrested on Wednesday,20 November 2024 by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation detectives based in Sasolburg.The suspect was attending an identity parade in Zamdela for another matter when vigilant members of the local SAPS recognized him and alerted the Hawks.His picture had been amongst those in police circulation following a robbery in Heilbron.When the Hawks landed,they positively identified the suspect.
The suspect is one of four suspects which ambushed security guards that were collecting the cash at the liquor store.
He added that it is alleged that on 21 September 2024,at about 14:30,security officials were collecting cash at a liquor store in Heilbron.While they were collecting the cash,four unknown suspects entered the liquor store and accosted them.The suspects then took an undisclosed amount of money and a firearm before fleeing the scene in a VW Polo and a BMW.
He concluded that the matter was then reported to the Hawks for further investigation.His co-accused Sthembiso Wiseman Buthelezi(39) and Fihlokwakhe Mdakane(42) are already in custody following their arrest in Johannesburg on 17 October 2024.They are also expected to appear on Monday,25 November 2024,together with the 42-year-old-suspect.