The three suspects who appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrates’ Court for fraud and corruption at the Dihlabeng Local Municipality have each been granted bail set at R10 000.

They are expected to appear in court again on 18 September, to allow for further investigation in the meantime.

Thabang Johannes Thinyane (43), a service provider; Ntokozo Erick Shabalala (43), a director at the Dihlabeng Municipality; and Lekgetho Isaac Mokgathle (53), a municipal manager at Dihlabeng, face charges of fraud, forgery, uttering and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

This comes after the trio were arrested in Bethlehem on Friday, 23 August, by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.

During 2023, the Hawks received information from the premier’s office in the Free State regarding allegations of fraud at the municipality.

It is alleged that the former municipal manager and director of public works, infrastructure and human settlement irregularly appointed a service provider without following due process, to supply and install diesel generators at water treatment plants in the Saulspoort dam.

It was further claimed that the municipal manager and director had drafted an appointment letter for a service provider at a cost of R7,2 million.

The service provider however apparently only erected the slab at the site and invoiced the municipality an amount of R611 000.

As a result of the fraudulent activities, the municipality was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of R611 000.

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