MAHIKENG MAIL-MAHIKENG: The former Municipal Manager at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in Lichtenburg, Tsietsi Isaac Shema (53) and his co-accused, who was the project manager at the same Municipality, Richard Thamsanqa Mtshali (40), appeared before the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 25 2024, facing charges of fraud and contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
The duo was arrested by members of the Mahikeng based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on April 25 2024, in Mahikeng and Zeerust. Their arrest emanates from an investigation into allegations of fraud and flouting of supply chain processes, whereby the pair awarded a tender to the value of R760 000,00 to a service provider to supply and install clearview fences and gates at Biesiesvlei area in the North West Province.
Investigation revealed that only a small portion of the Biesiesvlei area was fenced, but the service provider invoiced the Municipality for work completed during May 2021 in terms of the service level agreement.
The pair was released on R 5000 bail each, and their matter was postponed to May 13 2024 for legal representation.
North West Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr. Rachel Makhari welcomed the arrest and commended the collaboration between the investigation and prosection team.
