By STAFF REPORTER
13 October 2026 – The Hawks have secured convictions against a businessman, his company and an Emthanjeni Municipality employee in a case involving the alleged corrupt awarding of personal protective equipment (PPE) tenders. The trio, identified as Rhulani Innocent Tshuketana (36), his company Ribilwa Trading Enterprises and municipal employee, Lusapho Donald Williams (40), were found guilty by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
According to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson in Northern Cape, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe, the accused were initially charged with corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and money laundering in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Thebe said Tshuketana and his company were arrested in Midrand on 2 December 2024, while Williams was arrested at his workplace on 3 December 2024, by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
“Investigations revealed that in March 2020, Ribilwa Trading Enterprises was awarded a tender to supply PPE to a municipality without following proper supply chain management procedures. The investigation further found that the company had allegedly received multiple tenders within a short period.
“Williams, who worked as a youth coordinator at Emthanjeni Municipality, had received gratification from Tshuketana, the director of Ribilwa Trading Enterprises,” he said.
Thebe further said Williams allegedly failed to disclose business interests outside his employment and was not authorised to receive remuneration beyond his official duties. He added that payments received by Ribilwa Trading Enterprises from Renosterberg Municipality amounted to R1 614 455.
“In a separate matter in October 2024, the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court found Ribilwa Trading Enterprises guilty of contravening the Tax Administration Act. The company was fined R30 000, while Tshuketana was fined R50 000, bringing the combined fine to R80 000.
“In the latest proceedings, Tshuketana, his company and Williams were found guilty on nine counts of money laundering and 27 counts of corruption. The matter was postponed to 27 January 2027 for sentencing,” said Thebe.
