Phokwane Municipality officials Thato Morake, 34, and Ayanda Ndwanya, 35, appeared in the Hartswater Magistrate's Court on March 27.
Image: Supplied / Hawks
TWO PHOKWANE Municipality cashiers who were arrested by the Hawks last week have been released on bail of R50,000 each.
The accused were arrested by the Hawks’ Kimberley Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Hartswater on March 27, for allegedly defrauding the municipality of R3 million between January 2022 and August 2023.
Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe confirmed that Thato Morake, 34, and Ayanda Ndwanya, 35, were granted bail following their appearance in the Hartswater Magistrate’s Court on the same day.
“The matter was postponed until May 12 for enrollment at the Serious Commercial Crimes Court,” he added.
Thebe said the accused allegedly captured municipal payments as direct deposits in the internal financial ledgers, which did not reflect in the bank statements.
“It appeared as if the cash payments were pocketed for personal use while capturing them as direct deposits,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Phokwane Municipality has welcomed the arrests of the two officials on charges of fraud, alternatively theft, and money laundering.
Municipal spokesperson Kgalalelo Letshabo said the arrests followed an intensive investigation conducted by the municipality in 2023.
“The financial discrepancies that were uncovered were reported to the authorities for further investigation. The municipality will continue to comply and ensure that there is transparency throughout the process,” she added.