MOKOPANE – An early morning take-down operation at the Mogalakwena Municipality resulted in the apprehension of 13 people. The operation was conducted by members of the Directorate for Priority Crimes’ (Hawks) Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit following allegations of corruption and fraud at the municipality.
Hawks Limpopo spokesperson Capt Matimba Maluleke said it is alleged that the officials received gratification from service providers and that other companies were paid money for services not rendered. “The municipality suffered a loss of over R15m due to these illegal activities.”
Senior municipal officials, politicians and prominent business people were handcuffed and escorted from the premises in police vans.
The accused are expected to appear in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court soon on charges related to corruption and fraud.
These arrests followed the proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in March 2021 that authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate and recover any losses suffered by the municipality or state.
The Mokopane Business Chamber welcomed the arrests and said that it will hopefully lead to a better future for the embattled municipality and be a warning to the rest of the thieves.
The DA in a statement said that the arrests will be instrumental to restore sound financial governance and improved service delivery for the people of Mokgalakwena.