Johannesburg – An Mbombela local municipality manager appeared in the Nelspruit District Court on Friday for alleged fraud and corruption, Mpumalanga police said.

Noko Michael Senaego, 40, was granted R2 000 bail and would appear in court again on 19 February, police spokesperson Selvy Mohlala said.

Senaego, who was arrested earlier on Friday, was accused of not following correct procedures when employing law enforcement officials.

A panel that had interviewed candidates complained that Senaego had not considered some of the candidates it recommended for employment.

“Instead, he allegedly opted to employ some officials who did not even apply or did not make it to the short-list,” he said.

“His alleged conduct led to a protest by some of the law enforcement officials, who are reported to have been suspended later.”

This conflict between the panel members and Senaego led to a case being opened at the Nelspruit police station.

“After the case was registered, and the police presented all facts before the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] for a decision, the court ordered that he be arrested,” Mohlala said.