The former manager of Ditsobotla Municipality, Tsietsi Isaac Shema, and the municipality’s project manager, Richard Thamsanqa Mtshali, appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
They were charged with fraud and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act. The arrest of the two individuals was made by the Hawks in Mahikeng and Zeerust on Thursday morning.
According to Lt-Col Tinyiko Mathebula, spokesperson for the Hawks, the arrest followed an investigation into allegations of fraud and flouting of supply chain processes.
Shema and Mtshali were accused of awarding a tender worth R760,000 to a service provider for the supply and installation of clear-view fences and gates at Biesiesvlei.
However, the investigation revealed that only a small portion of the area was actually fenced, despite the service provider invoicing the municipality for work completed in May 2021.
Shema, aged 53, and Mtshali, aged 40, were both released on bail of R5,000 each. The court has postponed the matter until May 13 to allow for legal representation.
