MPUMALANGA – Cynthia Makhanye (51) appeared before the Ermelo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 7 September 2022 after she was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Crime Investigation based in Nelspruit for fraud, theft and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). The accused was released on R5 000-00 bail.

The case was postponed to 6 October 2022 to be joined with the other three accused; the former municipal manager, Theron Zwelishe Shongwe (47), former municipal manager, Thusi Hezekiel Kubheka (65) and former community service manager, Masego Mmabatho Matsheka (51) who appeared in court on Monday, 29 August 2022 after their arrest by the Hawks.

It is alleged that between 2014 and 2018, the former municipality officials 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 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 the properties which were sold belonged to the municipality for the benefit of the community.

Source: South African Police Service