Municipal officials and service providers appear in court for corruption

22 accused persons, including their companies, appeared in Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for the following charges: 104 of corruption, three of money laundering and three of conspiracy to commit corruption which relates to tender irregularities in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Limpopo.

Amongst the suspects who appeared yesterday is former Mayor of Mogalakwena Municipality, Andrina Matsemela (46), Nkadi Mabusela (35) sister to the former mayor also working at the legal department and Jabu Mashamaite, a director of technical support of Mogalakwena municipality

Jabu's brother, Tolly Mashamaite (45), a legislature member did not appear in court and the warrant of arrest was authorised against him but stayed until 17 January 2022.

On 30 August 2021, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) seized a BMW which was bought for accused 16 (Sara Kutumela), who works as an assistant librarian in Mogalakwena Municipality.

The incidents took place between 2016 and 2019. The total amount involved in corruption in Mogalakwena Municipality is R15 million.

The matter is postponed to 17 January 2022 for the state to furnish the legal representatives with copies of the dockets and for the appearance of the outstanding accused.