Thouret Mampe Thabe Tiro (41), the director of Tiro Attorneys (PTY) LTD and Tsietsi Isaac Shema (54), the then acting director of Corporate Services at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, appeared in the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 05 September 2024, facing charges of fraud.

The accused were arrested earlier on Thursday in Lichtenburg by members of the Mahikeng-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. Their arrest follows an investigation into allegations of fraud relating to the procurement of legal practitioner’s services for the municipality. In May 2021, Tiro Attorneys allegedly submitted a request for payment to the municipality for legal services he had rendered. It was revealed during the investigation that Tiro Attorneys did not render any services and that Shema and another suspect, who is still at large, allegedly approved the request for payment. As a result, the municipality suffered a loss of over R460 000,00 for services that were never rendered.

The pair has appeared in c
ourt facing four counts of fraud and an alternative theft charge. They have been remanded in custody and their matter was postponed to 06 September 2024 for formal bail application.

The North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari have welcomed the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused. They have assured the public that the Hawks and NPA will not hesitate to act against public officials who are involved in fraud and corrupt activities.

Source: South African Police Service