Hawks arrest three over R1.5 million Govan Mbeki municipal fraud allegations

By Johnathan Paoli

Three people have been arrested by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) in Mpumalanga over an alleged fraud and corruption scheme in which Govan Mbeki Local Municipality reportedly paid more than R1.5 million for goods and services that were never rendered or delivered.

Mpumalanga Hawks head Major-General Nico Gerber confirmed on Wednesday that the arrests form part of an investigation into alleged irregular procurement processes involving a service provider and two former municipal employees, with all three suspects expected to apply for bail.

“Public funds must be protected and utilised lawfully for the benefit of the communities they are intended to serve,” Gerber said.

He said the Hawks would continue pursuing allegations of fraud and corruption involving public institutions and ensuring that people entrusted with public resources were held accountable.

The suspects are 46-year-old service provider Brutus Hlophe, 48-year-old former municipal official Caiphus Ndimande and 65-year-old