Six senior government officials and company directors from Gauteng and Free State are out on bail of R20 000 for fraud in connection with the Winnie Mandela Museum in Brandfort.
The suspects appeared at the Welkom Magistrate's Court today. They are facing charges of fraud, theft, contravention of the Public Finance Management act, and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
The accused are Humphrey Tsoarelo Malakoane 56, former HOD Sports and Culture department, now HOD department of Education, Nontsikelelo Eunice Aaron, 55, who is former Municipal Manager Lejweleputswa district municipality, Lebogang Aubrey Sebeela, 47, who is former Director SCM Sports and culture department, Monyane Matthews Sefantse, 53, who is former Municipal Manager Lejweleputswa district municipality, currently MM of Nketoane Local Municipality, Errens Lodewikus Celliers, 80, who is a company director, Sithiwe Thubane, 47, who is also a company director.
Free State Hawks spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo said the case was postponed to 11 November 2022 for tracing of outstanding suspects.
“More arrests are imminent. All the accused were granted R20 000 bail each except Aaron, who was granted R3000 bail, and Celliers, who was granted R10 000 bail,” Singo said.
The suspects were arrested on Tuesday in Free State and Gauteng by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Free State.
Singo said it is alleged that during the period of January 2008 until December 2010, money was allocated to the Brandfort Museum project, popularly known as the Winnie Mandela Museum, by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
“The money that was allocated was then misused, and the service providers were appointed without following the proper procurement processes. The project was coordinated by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and Lejweleputswa District Municipality. As a result of these fraudulent activities, the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture suffered a total loss of more than R700 000. The matter was then reported to the Hawks’ for further investigation, which culminated in the arrest of the suspects,” Singo said.
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