Three suspects aged 33, 42 and 64 were arrested in an early morning raid by Serious Corruption Investigation of the Hawks.
The 64-old-suspect who was previously the Chief Financial Officer and acting Municipal Manager for the Greater Giyani Local Municipality was arrested in Lulekani. He was arrested on charges of contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), corruption and money laundering. The 42-year-old arrested in Giyani, was a Manager Budget and acting Chief Financial Officer, currently the Chief Financial Officer of Giyani. She is facing charges of flaunting the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The third suspect (33), a businessman, was arrested in Muhuya village, Thohoyandou on allegations of money laundering.
During 2017, two of the suspects invested a total of R148 656 282.00 into VBS Mutual Bank. Large amounts were paid to VBS affiliated companies as so called “commissions”. Some of this money was laundered through several bank accounts including that of the third suspect. From the suspect’s company, a total amount of R87 600.00 was paid to the first suspect over a period of time as gratification which was a great loss to the Giyani Municipality.
The trio will make their first appearance on 6 March 2024 in the Giyani Magistrates’ court for formal bail application.
