Media Statement from the National Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

14 March 2014

PRETORIA - Yesterday, 13 March 2013, six employees of the Senqu Municipality appeared in the Lady Grey Magistrates' Court on charges of fraud and corruption involving R57 000, 00.

The arrested suspects were the Municipal Manager, 41-year-old Mr Mxolisi Maxson Yawa, Chief Financial Officer, 53-year-old Christoffel Rudolf Venter, Corporate Service Manager, 51-year-old Toto Wonga, a Director at the municipality, 42-year-old Palesa Lerato Bushula, the personal assistant to the Municipal Manager, 25-year-old Octavia Bambilawu, and Octavia's mother, 57-year-old Elza Bambilawu, who is also a Director of the Keziah Accommodation and Conference company.

According to the municipal policies, a new employee may be accommodated at municipal expenses for three months. The Municipal Manager applied for municipal funding for accommodation for six months after he had been employed by the municipality for more than a year. The tender was awarded to his personal assistant.

The five accused were granted R5 000, 00 bail each and Elza Bambilawu was granted R2 000, 00 bail. Their case was remanded to 26 June 2014 for further investigation.

One more arrest is expected.

-End-

Media Enquiries:

Capt Paul Ramaloko
Mobile: 079 514 4476 or 082 770 4902
E-mail: dpci.comm@saps.gov.za.