By OBAKENG MAJE

17 August 2025- The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in North West has arrested Malane Abraham Letsapa (45) and ANC Local Election Team (LET) coordinator in Taung Sub-region, Moreotsile Israel Olifant (50) on 16 August 2025, for alleged fraud. Letsapa, who was the Expanded Public Works Programne (EPWP) District Coordinator and Oliphant, the former PR Councillor in the Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality, were arrested in Vryburg and Taung.

The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the reports indicate that, in December 2020, Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality approved the implementation of the Presidential Stimulus Project (PSP) under the Department of Public Works and Roads’ EPWP. Mathebula said the project was allegedly intended to be rolled out in Matsheng and Tlapeng villages in the Greater Taung Municipality, which involved cutting of trees and grass along the main road leading to and from the two villages.

“It is alleged that the Oliphant facilitated the process of head hunting beneficiaries, while Letsapa processed claims for payment of beneficiaries for a period of three months. Investigation revealed that no services were rendered, resulting in the department suffering a loss of over R87 000.

“The accused made an urgent bail application on 17 August 2025, in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng and they were granted R2000 bail each. They will appear in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 18 August 2025, on charges of fraud,” he said.

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