Tumelo Letlojane and Maikano Keukantseng Sedumedi appeared before the specialised commercial crime court in Mmabatho on Wednesday (28/10), where the state formally withdrew the case. North West NPA spokesperson Lindiwe Mabasa confirmed the withdrawal, emphasising it does not amount to an acquittal.

She said the NPA would communicate the date of reenrolment once it had been determined. 

Letlojane, 35, and Sedumedi, 53, were arrested by the Hawks in September last year following allegations relating to an appointment and an irregular acting allowance at the municipality, with its administrative centre in Setlagole. 

Setlago, administrative seat of Ratlou. Photo: Screenshot

The investigation stemmed from an incident in March 2022, when Letlojane allegedly appointed Sedumedi as acting expenditure manager without obtaining approval from the municipal manager.

The Hawks’ investigation further revealed that Letlojane allegedly authorised a payment exceeding R49,000 to Sedumedi for an acting allowance in November 2022. According to North West Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, the findings indicated that Sedumedi did not perform any duties associated with the acting position.

The accused initially appeared in the Setlagole Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and were each granted R2,000 bail. The matter was subsequently postponed to 21 October last year for their first appearance before the specialised commercial crime court in Mmabatho.

Following the withdrawal of the charges, Letlojane said the decision had vindicated his position. He maintained that there was no basis for a criminal prosecution.

“I am profoundly relieved that the state has formally withdrawn all charges against me. From the very beginning, I maintained my absolute innocence, and the decision by the NPA completely vindicates my stance.

“While I am grateful that justice has prevailed, my professional reputation, particularly as a professional accountant, has been unfairly damaged, as have my family and my personal peace of mind.”

He said the allegations had affected both his professional career and personal life. “A life and a career cannot easily be glued back together after being upended by a false narrative. “My focus now is entirely on rebuilding my life, restoring my name, and moving forward with my integrity fully intact,” said Letlojane.

The NPA’s confirmation that the case has been provisionally withdrawn means the matter could return to court following further investigation.

OFM News previously reported on the arrests of several officials linked to alleged fraud and irregular payments at Matlosana in Klerksdorp. The case relates to payments allegedly made to service provider Variegated between September 2023 and January 2024. The municipality reportedly paid the company more than R6m for services that were allegedly never rendered.

The funds were allegedly laundered through the company’s bank account before being distributed among various individuals.

Among the alleged recipients were Vincent Shongwe, who reportedly received R241,000, and his spouse, Anga, who allegedly received R190,000. Another individual, Mathapelo Puswe, reportedly received R80,000. A portion of the alleged proceeds was reportedly used to purchase a Mercedes-Benz, which has since been seized as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Shongwes and Puswe were released on R5,000 bail each and appeared in court alongside Matlosana CFO Mercy Phetla, municipal store buyer and controller Mmatebesi Sekhejane, and Variegated director Tisetso Sebetlele. The group faces multiple charges, including fraud, corruption, and money laundering.

Phetla was dismissed for misconduct by the municipality. In August 2026, the CCMA upheld her dismissal, finding that she had acted with gross neglect when approving R2.9m for a service provider and had committed “gross dishonesty” by accepting a vehicle allegedly supplied by another municipal contractor.

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