By REGINALD KANYANE
31 March 2025- The Bojanala Platinum District Municipality said it has noted with keen interest the arrest of its four former employees and one service provider, by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks on 17 March 2025. The municipality said these arrests were the outcome of an investigation led by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team, probing claims that they defrauded the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality of more than R25 million between December 2018 and May 2019.
The Bojanala Platinum District Municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said among other things, investigations indicated that R2 million was transferred from the service provider’s bank account to the former CFO’s company account. Mataebesi said charges vary from fraud, money laundering, breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act and corruption.
“The arrest of two more service providers is anticipated according to the police. All defendants have been remanded in custody as the case is set to resume on 20 March 2025, for a formal bail application.
“The municipality wishes to express confidence in the law enforcement agencies which are as the result of implementation of consequence management and opening of cases with South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Hawks, as resolved by the municipal council,” he said.
Matebesi further said the municipality will continue to monitor developments, whilst praising the joint efforts of the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), in holding the accused accountable.
The Guardian 