An Emalahleni Local Municipality official appeared in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court yesterday facing charges of extortion.

He was granted R1 000 bail and is expected back in court on October 7.

Undercover sting leads to arrest

His arrest in Kriel stems from an undercover operation targeting corruption. Members of the Provincial Organised Crime Investigation unit executed the arrest on Monday after allegations surfaced that the municipal official demanded cash from a contractor to facilitate a peace agreement between community members and the contractor.

According to Colonel Mavela Masondo, it is further alleged that the money was recovered from the suspect and seized as evidence.

Police warn against public sector corruption

The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise, expressed her hopes for such arrests to send a strong message to perpetrators of extortion and other related crimes that police are determined to ensure that such perpetrators are brought to justice.

“There will be no tolerance for corruption in any public office or criminal elements who use extortion to disrupt service delivery,” said Modise.

The municipal spokesperson, Lebo Mofokeng, confirmed the arrest, but said he could not comment further until hearing all the information around the charges laid against the suspect.

Read more here: Former council speaker breaks silence on ‘Mswati Must Fall’ allegations

The eMalahleni Regional Court has reserved sentence for a convicted local soccer coach until September, following arguments from both the defense and prosecution.
Read more here: https://t.co/XGxWf6TUQT#WitbankNews #eMalahleni #Soccercoach #eMalahleniRegionalCourt #Sentencing pic.twitter.com/9CepuefwGP

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