R4.8 million fraud case: Four accused granted bail
The municipal manager from the province, a former MP and two others, were arrested last week on charges of theft and money laundering
LIMPOPO – The case against the four accused in the R4.8 million fraud investigation will resume in December.
The men, a municipal manager from the province, a former MP and two others, were arrested last week by members of the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit following an investigation into fraud charges related to the improper awarding of contract within the agricultural sector.
Read more: [VIDEO] Hawks arrest Limpopo municipal manager
The 53-year-old municipal manager was arrested in Polokwane on Friday, 2 October and his three co-accused, a former member of parliament, the former chairperson of the Makgatho Community Property Association and a bank employee, were arrested shortly afterwards.
Read more: Former MP among three arrested for R4.8 million fraud case
In an earlier statement, Hawks Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke said that in 2018, the unit received a tip-off about money which was stolen by committee members attached to the Makgatho Community Property Association. “The investigation revealed that between 2015 and 2018, the suspects had awarded a R4.8 million farming tender to a company linked to a family member of one of the suspects, without following due processes. It was further revealed that the company never rendered any service to the community.”
The accused made their first court appearance on Monday, 7 October on charges of theft and money laundering. Regional Spokesperson for Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi said the state, represented by Advocate Dalton Tshinyani alleged that the accused were working together to steal the money amounting to R4.8 million which was received by the Makgato Communal Property Association from the Land Claims Commission. The case was postponed to Thursday, 8 October for formal bail application.
On Thursday, the court granted the foursome bail of R10 000 each and postponed the case to 4 December for further investigation.
“The accused are not a flight risk, no previous convictions and cooperated well with the investigation,” Dzhangi added.
