This is after the pair appeared briefly at the Bethlehem Regional Court for alleged fraud and corruption and defeating the end of justice.

Mavis Mabula (46), Municipality Director for Corporate Services was released on warning till the next court appearance.

According to Hawks spokesperson Linda Steyn, Mabula continuously interfered and obstructed the investigators who were conducting Investigations with regard to alleged fraud, corruption and irregular awarding of tenders in the Dihlabeng Municipality in Bethlehem.  

Solomon Nyembe (47) acting Municipal Manager at Maluti -A Phofung Municipality in Phuthaditjaba was arrested in Phuthaditjhaba for alleged fraud and Corruption and Contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) for the period 2014 – 2015.

He was released on R 10 000 bail and his case was also was remanded till 13 June 2019.

The municipality reportedly lost millions as a result of the alleged irregular, wasteful and fruitless expenditure in the last few years.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Zweli Mkhize last month visited the municipality to assess the council’s service delivery turnaround strategy.

Mkhize assessed the Recovery Action Plan, which seeks to fast track the turnaround of the municipality.

His intervention forms part of Cogta’s Back to Basics Municipal Recovery Programme, which intends to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of municipalities.

OFM news/Michael Tlhakudi