A former Emalahleni Local Municipality councillor, Linda Bhekiyise Goqo (57), together with Xolani Manana (32) and Sharon Mtshali (36), were released on bail by the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

This comes after they were arrested by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Middelburg on the same day for fraud, theft and corruption.

Their arrest followed an investigation by the Hawks which started in July 2020 whereby complainants reported to the police that they paid money to buy RDP houses which were never allocated to them.

During the investigation, it was established that Goqo received the money for his benefit. It was further established that he was working together with Manana who was sent by the councillor to collect monies that he charged people for the RDP houses.

The councillor did not want electronic transactions; he preferred cash only hence Manana was tasked to collect the monies.

During the interview, Manana confessed six incidences whereby he received the money from the victims and gave it to the councillor which was cash only. Accused number three, Mtshali, was also linked after her account number was used to receive the money from one of the victims which she withdrew and then handed to the councillor and money was stolen.

During their first court appearance on Friday, they were released on R2000 bail each and warned to return to court on July 26 for further investigations.