Officials, service provider out on bail

By Libuseng Nyaka

QWAQWA – Two former senior officials of Dihlabeng local municipality and a service provider have been formally charged for defrauding the municipality, and the case was postponed to September 10, 2024 for further investigation.

A company director Thabang Johannes Thinyane (43), former Human Settlements director, Ntokozo Eric Shabalala (43) and former municipal manager Lekgetho Issac MoKgathle (53), are alleged to have been working in cahoots to defraud the Dihlabeng local municipality.

Ntokozo Eric Shabalala.

According to police investigations the then municipal manager and director of public works and infrastructure and human settlements irregularly and without following due process appointed a service provider to supply and install equipment for diesel at a cost of R7.2 million. The service provider only erected a slab at the site and invoiced the municipality an amount of R611 000 resulting in the loss for municipality. The incident occurred in August 2023.

The three suspects were arrested by the Hawks on August 23, 2024 in relation to fraudulent activities following a tip off from office of Free State Premier.