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Municipal Manager and former Municipal Manager appeared in court for fraud, forgery and uttering
2023/03/09

 

Media Statement
Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS) 

 

WESTERN CAPE - Monde Strato (47) years old and Sitembele Wiseman Vatala (56) years old appeared in Knysna Court on charges of fraud, forgery and uttering.

Monde Strato is the current Municipal Manager at Garden Route District Municipality while Sitembele Wiseman Vatala is a former Knysna Local Municipality Municipal Manager and Vatala is currently unemployed.

It is alleged that between April and December 2019 the accused failed to declare seven municipal contingency assets to the Auditor General which were previously reflecting on the 2012 and 2017 financial year audit reports of Knysna Local Municipality, these properties were supposed to be transferred from Knysna Local Municipality to Garden Route District Municipality but the transfer could not take place.

The value of these properties is R64 million.  As a results of this fraud the Knysna Local Municipality suffered potential loss. It was further alleged that the accused falsified the 2018/2019 audit report.

The accused appeared today in court and were released on R15 000.00 bail each with strict bail conditions. The matter was then postponed to 12 May 2023 for further investigation and Regional Court date.

Ends

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