The Middelburg Hawks corruption busters have netted another alleged big fish, with the arrest of Edwin Mphikeleli Sibiya (64).

Sibiya, Emalahleni Local Municipality’s assistant finance manager, appeared before the Witbank Magistrate’s Court yesterday, after being arrested by the Middelburg-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit on corruption charges.

It is alleged that during June 2022, the accused, as an employee of Emalahleni Local Municipality, was involved in the leaking of a section 106 report. The report was compiled by forensic company AFIS, which was tasked with probing maladministration at the municipality.

An individual from AFIS was allegedly paid R8 700 by a municipal official to access the report. Information was then received by management regarding the report circulating amongst employees.

A case was opened and referred to the Hawks for further Investigation.

During the investigation, it was established that there were payment transactions from the accused’s account to one of the forensic investigators.

Investigation feedback was submitted to court and a warrant of arrest was authorised and executed, resulting in Sibiya’s court appearance.

He was released on R5 000 bail and the case was postponed to December  13.

More arrests are expected soon.