TWO Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs officials were released on R5000 bail after appearing in the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court earlier today.
The head of department, Mokete Victor Duma (46), and his co-accused, Samuel Shabalala (41), were arrested earlier today in relation to 127 different charges including fraud and others relating to the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Hawks spokesman Lieutenant, Robert Netshiunda, said Duma, who was the municipal manager of the Moqhaka Municipality in Kroonstad, and Shabalala, the service provider to the municipality when the fraud was committed, allegedly defrauded the municipality of R11 million through various misrepresentation.
Netshiunda added that Shabalala promised to build an airport in Kroonstad as well as underground tunnels, none of which were built.
“He misrepresented the facts when he said he had acquired international sponsors to fund all the projects he had promised, but instead Duma authorised that an amount totalling R11 million be paid to Shabalala,” he said.
Both will reappear again in the Kroonstad Regional Court on October 30.
-Gareth Wilson
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