The Hawks have arrested another three suspects, bringing the total to six, for fraud and corruption activities at the Ethekwini Municipality.
The three, Xolani Vilana (40) an Administration Manager Safer City at Ethekwini Municipality, Dumisani Nxumalo (27) an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) ghost worker and Robert Nkosi (42) an EPWP recruiter were arrested by the Hawks National Clean Audit Task Team (NCATT) and appeared on Thursday 24 January 2019, at Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and money laundering.
The trio are joining three other suspects Andile Shangase (37) from EThekwini Municipality, his bother Bongani Shangase (45) and Musawenkosi Enock Mthethwa (33) who were arrested last year in December by the same team for fraud and theft.
It is alleged that officials at the Municipality and their runners conspired and misrepresented members of the public in 2017 that they had secured an EPWP tender at the municipality and promised them jobs. Individuals were recruited and instructed to open bank accounts which were kept by the suspects. All the so-called workers were paid once-off stipends after the money was deposited into their accounts.
Vilana was granted of R5000 bail with the condition that he must be removed from his current office whilst Nkosi and Nxumalo were granted R3000 bail each. All six suspects are expected to appear at the same court on 21st February 2019. Investigations continue.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
