By BAKANG MOKOTO
14 December 2024- A fraud case against the former Deputy Director of the Department of Statistics South Africa Phakane Moses Masukela (43), has been transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in the Molopo Regional Court to 24 February 2025.
Masukela briefly appeared at the Mmabatho Magistrate Court, facing two counts of fraud and alternatively two counts of theft.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said it is alleged that the total amount of approximately R90 000 was lost in the process. Gunya said Masukela is out on R1000 bail.
“During proceedings, it was disclosed that Masukela was employed by the Department of Statistics South Africa in the capacity of a Deputy Director: Programme Officer. It is alleged that on 5 April 2024, he accepted employment from Ratlou Local Municipality in the capacity of a Senior Manager: Corporate Services.
“It was revealed that on 2 May 2024, he commenced employment with the municipality. However, he commenced employment without having resigned from his position with the Department of Statistics South Africa and without having informed either Statistics South Africa or Ratlou Local Municipality that he was gainfully employed by them simultaneously,” he said.
According to Gunya, investigations revealed that Masukela received a salary from the Department of Statistics South Africa on 15 May 2024, and on 24 May 2024, he received his salary from the Ratlou Local Municipality. He further said in court, it was revealed that when the accused had to be at work with both employers, he would submit leave forms to be at one place of employment at a time.
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