Ex-Jozini mayor granted bail in fraud case
Hawks detectives expect to make more arrests in a corruption case involving Jozini's former mayor.
Bethuel Mthethwa was nabbed recently in connection with alleged fraud at the northern KZN municipality during his tenure.
It's alleged that former municipal manager Lonwabo Maka created a youth upliftment programme called the “Joy” project.
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Hawks spokesperson Simphiwe Mhlongo says a payment of R5 million was made to a construction and mining company, Njabulo Landman Construction and Mining, owned by Mandlenkosi Matutu.
He says Maka allegedly used his position and forced finance employees to make the payment for services that weren't rendered.
"A case of fraud was reported at Jozini police station and the case docket was allocated to the Hawks members from Durban Serious Corruption Investigation. Maka and Matutu were arrested in September 2022. They were released on R10 000 bail each, and Mthethwa was also released on R10 000 bail on Friday.
They are all going to appear in the same court on 30 May, and more arrests are expected.
Both Maka and Matutu were arrested in September.
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