The formal bail application of two municipal officials and a civilian arrested for tender fraud and corruption amounting to R100 million at Mtubatuba on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast is expected to be heard next week Wednesday.
The two officials, Nokuthula Lafuleni-Zungu and Caiphus Khumalo, worked for the St. Lucia Municipality while Nkosinathi Ntshangase worked as a game ranger for the Isimangaliso Wetland Park.
It is alleged that the three were demanding money from various service providers that were contracted to do work for the municipality.
It is alleged that money was paid into accounts linked to at least three suspects.
National Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo says, “The National Commissioner of Police General Khehla John Sitole has both applauded the SAPS National Cold Case Unit and welcomed the arrest of three suspects in connection with tender irregularity, fraud, corruption, extortion, theft and racketeering cases in excess of R100 million.”
“It was further established that money was paid into accounts linked to at least three suspects. As part of the first phase of this investigation, the Cold Case Unit worked closely with the Directorate for Public Prosecution in KZN and embarked on an undercover sting operation which resulted in the arrest of the following three suspects on the 17 December 2021.”
The Mtubatuba Municipality
Meanwhile, in 2020, more than 15 employees from the Mtubatuba Municipality, on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast were suspended following allegations of corruption and misappropriation of funds.
The municipality has lost millions of rands due to corruption.
COGTA in the province put the municipality under administration a few years ago as it could not sustain itself financially.
The municipality continues to be under administration.
VIDEO: More than 15 suspended on corruption allegations in Mtubatuba municipality:
