In a surprising turn of events, the two eMalahleni Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) suspected of taking gratification will spend the long weekend behind bars.

Witbank News reports Magistrate Matome Seima postponed the case to Tuesday for a formal bail application. Councillors Jerry Djiana (MMC: Development planning) and Busi Hlumbane (MMC: Technical services) were remanded in custody.

Three counts of extortion and three counts of corruption are being investigated against Djiana and Hlumbane, and a case of defeating the ends of justice is also being investigated against Djiana.

The MMCs were arrested yesterday in a Hawks sting operation.

They are suspected of receiving R20 000 in gratification for extending the lease of a crematorium in eMalahleni.

Djiana asked police officers to go to the toilet shortly after he was arrested and allegedly tried to hide the envelope with the cash in a toilet.

Seima said he is weighing the presentations by the state and the defence before making a ruling aligned with the justice system.

Nkosikhona Mthetwa, representing the state, asked that the accused not be allowed in the municipal building while the case is under investigation.

The accused’s representative, Thembinkosi Raymond Sithole, argued that the MMCs are office bearers elected for a period of time.

“They serve on the mayoral committee and report to their principal, who is the mayor and will not interfere with the day-to-day runnings of the municipality. They have certain functions they have to attend as heads of their departments,” Sithole said.

Sello Matshoga from the ANC Nkangala region said the case is serious and compromises the party’s integrity. He indicated the matter would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.

The ANC’s Mpumalanga spokesperson, Sasekani Manzini, said the party takes these allegations of fraud and corruption against the two comrades extremely seriously, as it contravenes the revolutionary morality the ANC is working hard to inculcate in its membership and society.

“In this regard, the two councillors in eMalahleni have immediately stepped aside from their positions of deployment and elected leadership positions,” Manzini’s statement read.

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