Altogether six former municipal employees appeared in the Volksrust Magistrate’s Court last week in connection with fraud and corruption of more than R34.7m.

According to a statement from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Phakamile Thwala (50), Linda Bennet Tshabalala (61), Luthando Mpangeva (37), Nicholas Fezile Thabo Buthelezi (65), Bhekuyise Happy Buthelezi (40) and Joseph Solly Madubula Mabuza (50) were arrested by the Middelburg-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team on March 30.

The accused face charges of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act, Act no. 56 of 2003, corruption (receiving a benefit) and fraud.

The amount involved is R34 758 039. They were each granted bail of R35 000, except for Mpangeva, whose bail was set at R40 000.

The court explained that he must get higher bail because of a previous case in a similar matter.

Thwala is a former municipal manager of the Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Municipality and a member of the Mpumalanga Legislature, Tshabalala a former municipal manager and Mpangeva, formerly an employee of the Project Management Unit, also has a pending case for fraud and corruption.

Mpangeva’s case was postponed to July 1.

Nicholas Buthelezi resigned from a position as a director for the Project Management Unit, Bhekuyise Buthelezi is a current technician for the same unit and Mabuza, a former municipal manager, is a service provider.

Mabuza’s company was awarded a tender, and the Hawks apprehended him.

The case was postponed to July 6, and the court imposed conditions on all of them not to interfere with the investigation.

The court warned that if they don’t come to court on the day set, a warrant of arrest will be issued against them and the bail money forfeited to the State.