Twelve municipal officials from Mnquma municipality appeared before the Butterworth Magistrate court on Tuesday for fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) worth millions.
Officials Luleka Nonyongo, Sakhumzi Madubela, Lusindiso Patric Boya, Amanda Ntamo, Grace Tasana and Ivy Sikhulu formed the municipal Bid Evaluation Committee, while Kulile Clock, Lubabalo Manjingolo , Viwe Phindile Madolo, Primrose Vuyokazi Gonya, Dinyiswa Olga Mrwetyana, Zonwabele Plata were part of the Bid Adjudication Committee.
They were arrested earlier on Tuesday by a multidisciplinary task team comprising the Hawks, Crime Intelligence and detectives.
“Their arrest comes in the wake of ongoing investigations regarding alleged fraud and corruption in the Eastern Cape Municipalities after they allegedly flouted tender procedures during the course of 2014 to 2016 when four tenders valued at R37 million were unduly awarded to entities they had ties to, in return for apparent gratification,” provincial Hawks Captain Anelisa Feni said.
The court released the suspects on a warning and they are expected back at the same court on 25 May. – SAnews.gov.za
