The Hawks arrested the former Bojanala municipal manager in Hartbeespoort last week on charges of fraud.
Patrick Shikwane and an accomplice Moses Malesa were arrested by the Hawks for an alleged fraudulent payment of R1 million to Malesa’s company that allegedly never delivered the items he was paid for.
“In December 2018, Shikwane allegedly appointed Marole Nameng Trading to supply Bojanala District Municipality with disaster relief materials. The accused allegedly authorised payment to the tune of over R1 million to Marole Trading without following proper supply chain processes. Marole Nameng Trading, which Moses Malesa is the director of, received payment but never delivered the procured materials,” said Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula.
Following an investigation, the accused were arrested by members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit. Shikwane was arrested on Tuesday, 26 September 2023 in Hartbeespoort, while Malesa handed himself over the next day.
The duo appeared in the Rustenburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on fraud charges. Shikwane and Malesa were released on R10 000 and R5 000 bail, respectively. Their case was postponed to 16 October 2023 for further investigation.
Shikwane was also arrested in September 2022 for alleged contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari praised the investigation and prosecution for their collaboration on the case.
They have vowed to continue working together to stamp the authority of the state in the province.