Malane Abraham Letsapa, 45, the former EPWP district coordinator, and Moreotsile Israel Olifant, 50, a former proportional representation (PR) councillor in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, were arrested on Saturday (16/8) in Vryburg and Taung respectively.

The two men are facing charges of fraud relating to the alleged looting of funds earmarked for the Presidential Stimulus Project (PSP), a government initiative under the EPWP to provide temporary work opportunities and economic relief.

The accused appeared urgently before the High Court in Mahikeng on Sunday, where they were granted bail of R2,000 each, said provincial Hawks spokesperson Lt Col Tinyiko Mathebula.

The case stems from a December 2020 project approved by the Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality. The PSP was meant to be implemented in Matsheng and Tlapeng villages, located within the Greater Taung Municipality. It’s understood that the initiative involved cutting grass and trimming trees along the main access roads in the two communities, with the aim of creating temporary employment.

However, investigations allege that no work was ever carried out, despite claims being submitted and payments being processed over a three-month period. Allegedly, Olifant facilitated the recruitment of beneficiaries, while Letsapa was responsible for authorising and processing payments.

“Investigation revealed that no services were rendered, resulting in the department suffering a loss of over R87,000,” said Mathebula.

The accused will face charges of fraud, with more charges potentially pending as investigations continue.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cvs