The former CEO of Sedibeng Water, Rumbuluwani Tradewin Takalani (64), the former CFO of Sedibeng Water, Mpinane Anastacia Shasha (54), and the director of Global Water Treatment Solution, Jappi Sera Madigage (49), were on Monday arrested by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Welkom.

The three made their first appearance at the Bothaville Court on the same day on multiple charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999.

According to Warrant Officer Fikiswa Matoti, a case was registered at Bothaville SAPS in 2019 after a member of the board from Sedibeng Water received an anonymous tip-off about activities of fraud, corruption, irregular appointments of service providers and the demand for 10% benefit from service providers by some Sedibeng Water officials.

One of the service providers was Global Water Treatment Solution, supplying water purification chemicals to Sedibeng Water on a rotational basis with other service providers.

“Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a tender was advertised and the Global Water Treatment Solution was irregularly appointed and awarded the tender. Takalani and the former manager of Shared Services at Sedibeng Water, who is now a deceased, had a corrupt relationship with Madigage and his company. Because of the fraudulent activities, Sedibeng Water was prejudiced and suffered a loss of R129m,” says Matoti.

Matoti adds that Takalani and Shasha were each granted bail of R60 000 while Madigage was granted bail of R10 000.

“They will all be appearing again on February 9, 2024.”