NPA’s spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said the Rustenburg Magistrate's Court postponed the case to allow for consultation and disclosure with a new attorney before the matter is transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for trial. 

The attorneys who previously represented the accused withdrew on record, and the three will be represented by one attorney. They are each out on R30 000 bail and were warned not to interfere with the state’s witnesses, and to avail themselves for the next court sitting.

Sello Michael Makhubela (45), Obakeng Glen Mokgale (39), and Orebotse James Tlale (40), each face four counts of fraud. Mokgale and Tlale were arrested by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Wednesday (19/7), while Makhubela handed himself over to the police on (31/7). Mokgale and Tlale are former employees of the Rustenburg Local Municipality. Makhubela is a service provider, whose company was awarded a tender by the municipality.

The Rustenburg Magistrate's Office. Photo: platinumweekly.co.za

The tender was for high mast lights to be installed at the Kanana Phase 2 and Robega Phase 2 in Rustenburg. All procurement processes were duly followed for the tender to be awarded.

Investigations revealed that the tender was awarded to Makhubela’s company which was not compliant, owing to the fraudulent documents that were submitted to be awarded the tender. Mokgale and Tlale were notified of the noncompliance but continued to recommend that the tender be awarded to the said company.

File photo of high mast lights being installed. Photo: Facebook

Makhubela is said to have also submitted fraudulent invoices amounting to over R1.7 million for a service that was not rendered. The accused continued to sign the procurement documents, pretending to have seen the service that was rendered, for payment to be processed.

The municipality has since instituted internal disciplinary processes which resulted in the dismissal of Mokgale and Tlale, and criminal charges were subsequently registered. Investigations are completed and the state is ready to proceed with trial.

The Director of Public Prosecutions in the province, Dr Rachel Makhari, and the Provincial Head for Priority Crime Investigation, Patrick Mbotho, have lauded the investigation and prosecution team for the arrest of the suspects. They register their satisfaction with the progress made in bringing the matter before the court.

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