Former Tshwane mayor gets bail in R1.5m fraud case

Former Tshwane mayor Dr Murunwa Makwarela was granted R10 000 bail by the Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on Monday.

Makwarela (51) faces a schedule 5 offence and appeared in court after he had allegedly unconstitutionally held public office in the Tshwane metro.

He is accused of having defrauded the metro to the amount of just under R1.5-million, which he earned while serving as a councillor and eventually as council speaker from November 6, 2021, to January 20, 2022.

Makwarela had failed to declare his insolvency to the IEC or Tshwane since serving as a councillor to the position of mayor.

The former Cope member and Pretoria east resident was making his first court appearance.

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Makwarela handed himself over to the Brooklyn police station on Monday morning after resigning as mayor on March 10 following allegations that he had submitted a falsified certificate of insolvency rehabilitation to Tshwane city manager Johann Mettler.

The crime came to light when Mettler was tipped off that Makwarela had been declared insolvent in 2016.

Makwarela, however, claimed that he had been rehabilitated and provided “proof of the rehabilitation notice”.

The authenticity of the notice was in doubt as the letterhead appeared to refer to a nonexistent court and presiding judge.

Then-chief registrar of the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng division Pretoria, Tumelo Refilwe Ledwaba said that no rehabilitation order had ever been issued to Makwarela.

Tshwane Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the matter was further referred to the Gauteng serious corruption investigation unit for further action.

“The team found that the rehabilitation certificate was disputed by the Pretoria High Court as having been issued by them. The accused was charged with two counts of fraud, resulting in his arrest this morning.”

In court, Makwarela’s lawyer GN Manganye argued that Makwarela was not a flight risk and would not jeopardise the case by tampering or intimidating witnesses.

Makwarela had pleaded to pay a R2 000 bail. The amount was changed to R10 000 as the state was displeased with the amount.

State Advocate Willem van Zyl did oppose bail argued by Manganye.

Magistrate Nicca Setshogoe reminded both parties that the court was at the helm of decision-making in granting Makwarela bail, despite the state remaining unopposed in the application.

Setshogoe said the application was granted because Makwarela did not have prior convictions or arrest warrants and was married with children.

She urged Makwarela to abide by the bail conditions.

The accused was due to appear in the same court on May 2 for disclosure and instructions.

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