Former Municipal employees in Mpumalanga facing corruption charges out on bail

Estimated reading time: 4 minute(s)

A case against three former Msukalikwa local Municipality employees in Ermelo has been postponed to October 6th pending further investigations.

The employees which included former municipal manager, 47 years old Theron Zwelishe Shongwe, former municipal manager, 65 years old Thusi Hezekiel Kubheka and 51 years old former community service manager, Masego Mmabatho Matsheka appeared before the Ermelo Magistrates’ Court on Monday following their arrest on the same day on charges relating the violation on Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

It is said according to Hawks Spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi that between 2014 and 2018, the said accused contravened the PFMA by selling and exchanging the property belonging to the municipality which included the reservoir and the water pump which are meant to serve the basic needs of the community.

They also allegedly exchanged the municipality properties with higher value to the property of lower value to benefit the private person without considering the essential benefits towards the community.

“The matter was reported to the Hawks in March 2020 for further probe. During the investigation, it was established that the correct procurement processes were not followed and that the properties which were sold belonged to the municipality for the benefit of the community.”

However, the trio is now out on R 5000 bail each until their next appearance.