The City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has arrested two of its own workers for allegedly stealing a tractor-loader-backhoe (TLB) machine.
Municipal spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the TLB went missing last December when it was illegally removed without authorisation to perform private work in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni.
He said after preliminary investigations, two employees were arrested in connection with the missing machine on Monday morning, February 3, in Brakpan.
Andile Mngwevu, the MMC for Roads and Transport Management condemned the theft stating: “We cannot allow such thuggery to persist in our space without consequences.”
Mngwevu emphasised the importance of protecting public funds, saying: “We are here to serve the community, and this is public money that we must protect and ensure that whatever infrastructure we purchased with public funds serves our people.”
Mngwevu added that when theft occurs, the municipality will take action against those involved in such activities.
”When you steal from us, we open a case, and the police must arrest you. We do not subscribe to such things, and therefore, the law must take its course. It is our sincere hope that the thugs are brought to book and dealt with accordingly,” he added.
Mngwevu said they are going to pull out all stops to ensure that the missing machinery is recovered and all those involved in the act of criminality are brought to book.
Dlamini confirmed that a case has been opened with the Brakpan police.
“It is suspected that this was an inside job,” he said.
In another separate incident, on January 21, IOL News reported that an Eastern Cape municipal employee was arrested for allegedly defrauding the Mzimvubu Local Municipality in KwaBhaca of R2 million.
The Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks) arrested Sibabalwe Mgangatho, 40, her brother Ongezwa Mngangatho, 32, and her then-boyfriend Siniko Sinethemba Novukela, 41.
The trio faces charges of fraud and money laundering.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said Mgangatho was employed as an Account Expenditure Officer at the Mzimvubu Local Municipality.
According to the Hawks, the fraud took place between 2013 and 2017.
"Investigations revealed that Mgangatho allegedly exploited her position to misappropriate municipal funds.
"She was responsible for preparing vouchers, uploading payments, and capturing service provider details on the municipality's Munsoft system."
Fumba said Sibabalwe allegedly colluded with her brother, Ongezwa, a cashier at Steady Service Station.
"Ongezwa reportedly received fraudulent funds transferred from the municipality’s account, which were then redirected to his sister Sibabalwe’s account."
The Hawks said further investigation revealed that Sibabalwe allegedly conspired with her then-boyfriend Novukela to receive payments as fake service providers.
Novukela owned Lilitha Communication and Construction (Pty) Ltd.
The funds were allegedly funneled back to Sibabalwe’s account.
"The Hawks investigation further established that Sibabalwe had allegedly unlawfully and intentionally processed 48 fraudulent transactions and took R2 million from the municipality."
All three accused appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court and were granted bail of R5,000 each.
IOL News