Former Municipal Manager Sentenced To 4 Years in Prison For Theft

The Kimberley Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced former Municipal Manager of Karoo Hoogland Municipality, Louis Nothnagel, to 4 years in prison for theft and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

According to a statement by SAPS on Wednesday, Nothnagel, 63, was found guilty on July 16, 2024, and sentenced on March 11, 2025.

A Web Of Corruption

Nothnagel was charged alongside the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who passed away shortly after being arrested in February 2013.

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The investigation revealed that Nothnagel and the CFO had colluded to pay each other performance bonuses without the necessary council approvals, violating applicable regulations.

Arina Botha, the wife of the deceased CFO, was also found guilty of theft and money laundering, and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

Justice Served

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Northern Cape, Major General Stephen Mabuela, commended the work of his team and the prosecution, stating that “local government corruption has to be arrested at some stage, and this conviction sends the right message.”

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Nothnagel was ordered to pay back R500,000 to the state, while Botha was ordered to pay R200,000.

 

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