MAHIKENG WOMAN FINED FOR THEFT
23 October 2025
MAHIKENG WOMAN FINED FOR THEFT
Mmabatho, North West – The Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Mmabatho has sentenced Tsakani Rhulani Hlongwane (37) to a R10 000 fine or 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for three years on condition that she is not convicted of theft during the period of suspension.
Investigations revealed that on 15 May 2024, the Office of the Premier in the North West Province issued a request for quotation (RFQ) to five potential suppliers registered on the Central Supplier Database. Hlongwane, the sole director of Goiutsemedi Trading Enterprise, was not among the companies invited to submit quotations and did not submit one.
The selection process was finalised by the department’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) unit on 24 May 2024. However, on 30 May 2024, a purchase order was erroneously generated in favour of Hlongwane’s company instead of Goitsemedi Trading and Projects, which had been appointed to supply protective clothing.
Despite not being awarded the contract, Hlongwane’s company received the purchase order, delivered goods as per the order, and submitted an invoice to SCM for payment. The department subsequently paid R109 636.20 to Goiutsemedi Trading Enterprise in error. When notified of the mistake, Hlongwane indicated that she had already spent the money. She was arrested on 18 August 2025 and later released on bail.
In court, Hlongwane pleaded guilty to the charge of theft. By the time of sentencing, she had repaid R63 000 to the department. In aggravation of sentence, Senior State Advocate Theo Moetaesi argued that the accused acted knowingly and unlawfully when she used funds she knew did not belong to her.
Welcoming the outcome, Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the prosecution team for their work in bringing the matter to a finality. She reaffirmed the NPA’s commitment to combating commercial crimes and ensuring accountability in public sector transactions.
Issued by:
Sivenathi Gunya
Communications Officer
North West Division
National Prosecuting Authority
078 172 9367