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Hawks arrested former EMLM Municipal Manager for fraud and corruption

Thapelo Motseo

Groblersdal

Former Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality EMLM Municipal Manager, Minah Maredi (60), was on Tuesday 19 December 2023, arrested by the Polokwane based Hawks’ Serous Corruption Investigation Unit for alleged fraud and corruption.

According to Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, Hawks Spokesperson in Limpopo, Maredi was arrested in connection with fraud and corruption cases committed during May 2017, where she allegedly failed to prevent irregular expenditure at the municipality by appointing a consulting company to render auditing services in the EMLM without complying with Municipal Finance Management Act, which as a result the municipality suffered a loss of more that R686 000-00.

“The matter was reported to the Hawks for assistance. The allegations were thoroughly investigated by the Hawks, subsequent to that, the warrant to arrest the suspect was applied and authorized,” explained Mmuroa.

He said Maredi was traced and arrested at Ramogwerane Village outside Groblersdal and she made her first appearance before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on 20 December 2023, facing charges of fraud and corruption. She was granted a R20 000-00 bail and will appear again on 1 February 2024.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo Province, Major General Gopz Govender, has applauded the team for the sterling job.

The general has also warned government officials that if they are going to involve themselves in fraud and corruption activities Hawks will be after them.

During November 2022 in a separate incident, Maredi was arrested along with then Executive Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality (SDM) Cllr Julia Mathebe in connection with illegal investment with the liquidated VBS Mutual Bank.

The duo was granted R30 000 bail each by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. At the time when the alleged unlawful investment was made, Mathebe was the mayor of EMLM while Maredi was municipal manager, which according to the Treasury Department; municipalities were not allowed to invest with the mutual banks.

The former municipal manager, Maredi, has alleged to have been instrumental in investing R190 Million municipal funds into the VBS Mutual Bank, wherein, the former mayor, Mathebe, received over R300 000 in gratifications which included cash, accommodation and flight tickets.

He Hawks said the irregularities were channelled through a company belonging to the executive mayor’s children.

 

 

Thapelo Motseo

COMPANY BACKGROUND Sekhukhune Times was founded in 2015 for the purpose of providing Sekhukhune community and businesses with quality news. The business is operated within the Sekhukhune district municipality which consist of four municipality namely Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality, Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality, Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality and Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality . Sekhukhune Times help the readers to become aware of their surroundings from social life, to the news happening in the community and also not forgetting what’s happening on the outside world’ it brings you all the news in a convenient and simple language that community can understand and It is released every Thursday and distributed through various mine, shops, , pubiic institutions and in schools. Complimentary copies are distributed to advertisers. The publication is also available online www.sekhukhunetimes.co.za Sekhukhune Times bring you all the news you need to know about the community, events coming up, speeches and also some tips on surviving student life as well as anything which you feel could be beneficial to students voicing out their opinions. MISSION . To became a cross border publication that will link young people from all corners of the world. . To became a source of information to the youth and community in general. .To became a tool for businesses big and small to market their products. .To serve as a communication tool for businesses, government, school and communities in general. .To offer jobs to young people and thus participate in eradicating unemployment, which is a major contributor to increase in crime, AIDS and poverty in our communities. .Provide auxiliary services such as printing, layout and design and photography for other institutions. . Sekhukhune Times is committed to providing the client with a quality product at competitive price within schedule. . At all time we will address and service the customers, requirements, comply with specifications, standards and technical requirements, act ethically and with dignity

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