Central SA
Klerksdorp-based politician and son out on bail─── LUCKY NKUYANE 09:18 Sat, 26 Aug 2023
The chairperson of Matlosana’s Municipal Account Committee is out on bail of R15,000 following her arrest on corruption charges.
The chairperson of the Klerksdorp-based Matlosana Municipality's Account Committee is out on bail after she was arrested along with her son on charges of corruption.
Municipal Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Merriam Methi (49) allegedly solicited R50,000 from a service provider. NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame said Methi and her son Tshegofatso Mosiako (20) were both let out on bail of R15,000 and R1,000 respectivey by the city's magistrate on Friday (25/8). The two were arrested by the Hawks on Wednesday (23/8) in Klerksdorp, following a sting operation to catch them in the act.
Mamothame said the case against the duo was postponed to 9 November for further investigations. The court issued stringent bail conditions against them. The magistrate ordered them to not have any direct or indirect contact with the complainant, and to inform the investigating officer should there be a change in their home address.
“It is alleged that in January 2023, Methi, who is the chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, went for a consultation at a particular service provider in Klerksdorp, where she allegedly introduced herself as chairperson of MPAC in the local municipality.
“The complainant allegedly told her that he had trucks that could be utilised for refuse removal and for her to inform him when tenders are advertised by the municipality for him to bid, and she allegedly obliged.”
Merriam Methi, the chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee at the Matlosana Local Municipality. Picture: Facebook/City of Matlosana Municipal Updates
Reports by the Hawks indicate in March 2023, the suspect reportedly met with the complainant, telling him his business partner was awarded a tender by the municipality to collect refuse. Allegedly she told the complainant she knew he had rented his trucks to his business partner and was also benefiting from the tender.
The complainant was allegedly given an ultimatum to pay the suspect R50,000. Failure to do so would result in the contract being cancelled, with no chance of renewal.
Members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team received information about the payment arrangement. Methi and her son were arrested soon after being paid R30 000 in cash by the complainant, Mamothame said.
