Two former acting municipal managers in court for alleged contravention of MFMA

NORTH WEST – Mothusi Oagile (50) and Leopold Letlhogonolo Fourie (53) have on Thursday, 21 November 2024, appeared before the Schweizer Reneke Magistrates’ Court for alleged contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. The pair was arrested this morning by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation.

The duo, who are both former acting municipal managers for the Mamusa Local Municipality, allegedly appointed two security companies without following supply chain processes.

Reports indicate that Oagile, who was appointed as the acting municipal manager from November 2016 to March 2017, appointed Ipelegeng Protection Services to render security services to Mamusa Local Municipality without following proper processes. As a result, the municipality suffered a loss amounting to R969 000-00.

Reports further indicate that Fourie, who was Oiagile’s successor appointed from April to May 2017 allegedly terminated the services of Ipelegeng security company and appointed Triumph security company to render the same services to the municipality without following supply chain processes. As a result, the municipality suffered a loss of R450 000-00.

The matter was referred to the Klerksdorp based Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation Unit for investigation. The accused appeared in court and were released on bail. Oagile was granted R6 000-00 bail, while Fourie was granted R3 000-00. Their matter was postponed to 20 February 2025.

The North West Acting Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded the investigation and prosecution team for their relentless efforts in fighting mismanagement of finances in municipalities.