The troubled Kimberley-based Sol Plaatje Local Municipality in the Northern Cape is tight-lipped over the allegations against it following the Hawks raid on Thursday (24/8). They raided the municipality's offices to conduct a search and seizure operation.

Laptops and desktops were seized by the Hawks. Municipal spokesperson, Thoko Riet, told OFM News that "there are allegations that were brought forward against the municipality and the Hawks have gathered information or documentation to aid them in this investigation. She said it is still premature to divulge the details as these are still allegations.

"The municipality will give its full cooperation while they are conducting their investigation into these allegations. As you may be well aware the Hawks were at our municipal properties on Thursday morning." 

The municipality's offices were raided to conduct a search and seizure operation. Photo supplied

On Thursday the Hawks provincial spokesperson, Tebogo Thebe, told OFM News that the purpose of the search and seizure operation came after allegations were received. He said a decision was taken to conduct a search and seizure to investigate the allegations.

“Our investigation has just commenced. Two laptops and two desktop computers were seized for further investigations. The municipality cooperated and we are thankful.”

In March 2022, Premier Zamani Saul vowed that his provincial government would deal with and root out corruption cases in municipalities and across departments of the province.

Zamani said this after his provincial government partnered with the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks, among others, to launch the Local Government Anti-Corruption Forum.

OFM News