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Two more suspects arrested in R25 million Bojanala fraud case
The Hawks have arrested two more suspects in connection with the R25 million fraud scandal that rocked the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, raising the total number of accused in the case to seven.
Esther Malesa (45), director of Kea’s Project, and Moses Malesa (53), director of Marole Nameng Trading Enterprise, were arrested on Monday by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. The pair appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court, where Esther was granted bail of R100,000 and Moses R50,000.
They join five others arrested last month for allegedly siphoning over R25 million from the municipality between December 2018 and May 2019 through payments for services that were never rendered.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, the fraudulent operation was led by Leslina Olga Ndlovu (45), the former CFO of the municipality. She allegedly colluded with Esther Malesa to channel payments to Kea’s Project, a company not listed as an approved municipal service provider.
Despite this, the company received more than R25 million in payments. Investigators later traced the funds, revealing they had been distributed among various individuals involved in the scheme. Over R2 million reportedly went to Ndlovu’s own company, Mahle Supply.
Patrick Tlhapi (53), the municipality’s former Chief Whip, allegedly received R150,000. Gontse Kekana, the former municipal manager’s secretary, reportedly received R850,000. Mantsho Gloria Moremi (38), director of Moremi Investments, is believed to have received R600,000. Moses Malesa is accused of pocketing over R5 million from the proceeds.
Esther Malesa now faces 53 counts of fraud, 84 counts of money laundering, and three counts of corruption. Moses faces seven counts of money laundering.
All seven accused are due back in court on July 2 as investigations continue.
Acting Hawks head in the North West, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, and provincial Director of Public Prosecutions Rachel Makhari commended the effective collaboration between the Hawks and the NPA in ensuring the suspects face justice.
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Sourced:IOL
Picture: Kingston Foc Lawyers
