Several officials from the Kamiesberg Local Municipality, along with company directors and a supplier representative, appeared briefly in the Garies Magistrates Court on 19 March 2026, facing serious charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The arrests were carried out earlier that day by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team following an in-depth probe triggered by a complainant’s allegations of kickbacks and corrupt practices within the municipality.
In the primary case, directors of BSP Consulting Engineers—Bevan Steyn (55) and Bradley Plaatjies (50)—were arrested alongside Municipal Manager Rufus Beukes (42), Speaker Melvin Cloete (50), Senior Accountant Rose Cloete (43), Personal Assistant Melishia Nero (37), Cleaner Fianna Fortuin (41), and Aniston Fielding (22). Prosecutors allege that in November 2024, BSP Consulting Engineers submitted a fraudulent invoice to the Kamiesberg Local Municipality for services or work that was never performed. The municipality reportedly paid the firm a total of R216,284.66.
It is further alleged that R75,000 of the proceeds was transferred to a Capitec bank account held by Ms. Fielding, after which the funds were distributed to various bank accounts belonging to Kamiesberg Municipality employees.
Bail was granted as follows: Steyn and Plaatjies each received R10,000; Melvin Cloete was granted R20,000; Beukes received R5,000; and Cloete (Rose), Nero, Fortuin, and Fielding were each released on R1,000 bail. The case against all accused has been postponed to 23 April 2026 at the Springbok Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
In a separate but related matter, the Hawks arrested Harold Meyer (50), who represents Van Kay General Dealer and also serves as a Fleet Manager at Namakwa District Municipality in Springbok. The same Kamiesberg Municipal Manager Rufus Beukes (42) and Speaker Melvin Cloete (50) face additional charges in this case.
Allegations state that Kamiesberg Local Municipality procured two water pumps from Van Kay General Dealer on separate occasions, totaling R128,500 and R147,268 respectively—amounting to R275,768 in total—but the pumps were never delivered. It is claimed that Municipal Manager Beukes authorised the payments despite knowing the items had not been supplied.
Meyer was released on R5,000 bail, while Beukes and Cloete were released on warning. This matter has also been postponed to 23 April 2026 at the Springbok Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The Hawks’ investigation highlights ongoing concerns about procurement irregularities and financial misconduct in local government structures in the Northern Cape. Authorities have not released further details on potential additional suspects or the full scope of the probe at this stage. All accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
