Patrick Shikwane (51), the former Municipal Manager of Bojanala District Municipality and Moses Malesa (51), the company director of Marole Nameng Trading, appeared in the Rustenburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court last week Wednesday, facing charges of fraud.
In December 2018, Shikwane allegedly appointed Marole Nameng Trading to supply the Bojanala District Municipality with disaster relief materials. The accused reportedly authorised payment of over R1 million to Marole Trading without following proper supply chain processes.
Marole Nameng Trading, of which Malesa is the director of, received payment from the municipality, but never delivered the supposed procured materials. Following an investigation, the accused were arrested by members of the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation Unit.
Shikwane was arrested on Tuesday, September 26, in Hartbeespoort, while Malesa handed himself over to the authorities the following morning. The pair briefly appeared in court and were granted bail. Shikwane was granted R10 000 bail, while Malesa was released on R5 000 bail.
Their case was postponed to October 16 for further investigations, said Henry Mamothame of the National Prosecuting Authority North West division.
The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West Province, Dr Rachel Makhari, praised the investigation and prosecution for their collaboration on the case.
They have vowed to continue working together to stamp the state's authority in the province.
