Picture: The Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Motswana
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Aaron Motswana (47), who is the former acting Mayor of Mamusa Local Municipality, briefly appeared in the Schweizer Reneke Magistrate’s Court on 24 November 2023.
Motswana was arrested for alleged fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). In May 2017, Motswana during his tenure as an acting Mayor, allegedly entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with a service provider for the municipality to purchase a farm and for the service provider to sell another farm to the municipality.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said: “The municipality could have incurred costs of over R500 000 had this irregular contract materialised. Following an extensive investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, a warrant of arrest was issued against Motswana and he handed himself over to authorities.
“He is charged with fraud for misrepresenting the municipality. The accused was also charged with contravention of Section 173 (4) of Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2002. Motswana was granted R10 000 bail and his case was postponed to 19 January 2024 for further investigation.”
Mamothame further said Motswana was ordered not to have any direct or indirect contact with state witnesses.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari together with the North West Hawks Head, Major General Patrick Mbotho, lauded the work of the prosecution and investigation team.
The Guardian 