Central SA
Corruption case against Matlosana CFO, five others postponed─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:35 Wed, 21 May 2025
The fraud and corruption case involving the chief financial officer (CFO) of the City of Matlosana Municipality and five co-accused has been postponed to 14 July for further consultations.
The six briefly appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Klerksdorp on Monday (19/5) and Tuesday.
Among those who appeared were Anga Shongwe (37), Mathapelo Kelebogile Puswe (38), and Vincent Patrick Shongwe (51), who were arrested on Sunday by a multi-disciplinary team including members of the Hawks.
The arrests follow an investigation into allegations of irregular payments made by Matlosana to a service provider, Variegated (Pty) Ltd, said North West Hawks spokesperson Lt. Col. Tinyiko Mathebula. The probe revealed that between September 2023 and January 2024, the municipality paid more than R6 million to the company for services that weren’t rendered.
The funds were allegedly siphoned through the service provider’s bank account and distributed among various individuals. Mathebula said Vincent Shongwe allegedly received R241,000, Anga Shongwe R190,000, and Mathapelo Puswe R80,000. The Shongwes, a married couple, reportedly used part of the proceeds to purchase a Mercedes-Benz, which has since been seized as part of ongoing investigations.
The trio, who were each granted R5,000 bail, appeared in court alongside Matlosana CFO Mercy Phetla, Mmatebesi Sekhejane, a municipality store buyer and controller, and Variegated director Tisetso Sebetlele. All six face charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
Phetla was also arrested and charged with corruption by the Hawks in January last year, when she asked the municipality not to suspend her, arguing that her presence at work would not jeopardise any investigation against her.
She allegedly failed to declare a gift of an R1.4 million vehicle given to her by GMHM Construction, a local service provider with a month-to-month contract with the Klerksdorp-based local council.
Her R35,000 bail was paid by the son of her co-accused Nomthandazo Mokasule (49), one of two GMHM staff arrested and charged alongside Phetla.
‘The municipality will closely monitor the investigations’
Matlosana acknowledges the arrest by the Hawks of three municipal officials. Spokesperson Ntswaki Makgetha said the municipality will closely monitor the investigations and will also proceed with internal processes and take appropriate action based on the findings.
Given the ongoing legal matter, the municipality will refrain from further comments, while remaining dedicated to upholding the values of transparency, accountability, and integrity in its endeavours.
