In a surprising turn of events, the two Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) suspected of taking gratification will spend the long weekend behind bars.

Magistrate Matome Seima postponed the case to April 22 for a formal bail application. Cllrs Jerry Djiana (MMC: Development Planning) and Busi Hlumbane (MMC: Technical Services) were remanded in custody.

Three counts of extortion and three counts of corruption are investigated against  Dijana and Hlumbane and a case of defeating the end of justice is also investigated against Dijana.

The MMCs were arrested yesterday in a Hawks sting operation.

They are suspected to have received R20 000 in gratification for extending the lease of a crematorium in eMalahleni.

Dijana asked police officers to go to the toilet shortly after he was arrested and he allegedly tried to hide the envelope with the cash in a toilet.

Seima said he is weighing up the presentations by the state and the defense before he makes a ruling that will align with the justice system.

Mr Nkosikhona Mthetwa representing the state asked that the accused were not allowed in the municipal building while the case is investigated.

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@witbanknews In a surprising turn of events, the two Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) suspected of taking gratification will spend the long weekend behind bars. #Witbanknews #emalahleni #Witbank #ELM #HappyEaster #hawks #saps #Fyp ♬ No Panic (30 BG) – Ftarget

The accused’s representative Mr Thembinkosi Raymond Sithole argued that the MMCs are office bearers elected for a period of time.

“They serve on the mayoral committee and report to their principal, who is the mayor and will not interfere with the day-to-day runnings of the municipality. They have certain functions they have to attend as heads of their departments,” Sithole said.

Sello Matshoga from the ANC Nkangala region said the case is serious and compromises the party’s integrity. He indicated the matter would be referred to the party’s disciplinary committee.

The ANC’s provincial spokesperson Sasekani Manzini saiid the ANC takes these allegations of fraud and corruption against these two comrades extremely seriously, as it contravenes the revolutionary morality the ANC is working so hard to inculcate in its membership and society.

“In this regard, the two councillors in eMalahleni have immediately stepped aside from their positions of deployment and elected leadership positions,” Manzini’s statement read.

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