Local News

Lekwa Local Municipality has opened a criminal case against one of its own employees following the discovery of a sophisticated fraud scheme that allegedly diverted more than R1.4 million in municipal payments into personal bank accounts. According to Acting Municipal Manager Mr Mthembeni Jiyane, the suspended Senior Creditors Clerk is facing serious allegations, including fraud, forgery, uttering and theft. The criminal case was officially registered at the Standerton Police Station. Attempted R97 601 theft sparks wider investigation The matter came to light when the Municipality’s Finance Division detected an attempted diversion of R97 601, a payment intended for an approved municipal service provider. It is alleged that the employee had substituted the legitimate beneficiary’s banking details with her own, prompting immediate action. Mr Jiyane ordered the employee’s precautionary suspension and revoked her access to the municipal banking system. He further instructed an urgent internal investigation, alongside a full audit of transactions processed by the staff member over the past three years. Audit uncovers R1.467 million in fraudulent payments The Municipality’s Internal Audit Division uncovered a far larger pattern of fraud. Investigators found that the employee used three personal bank accounts to divert payments meant for two service providers. The total amount unlawfully channelled to her...