NORTH WEST – The Provincial Head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – Major General Patrick Mbotho welcomed the arrest of the former Municipal Manager for Bojanala District Municipality – Pogisho Patrick Shikwane (51) and lauded the investigative efforts of the members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit and the work of the Nation Prosecuting Authority for ensuring that the accused has his day in court.

The former acting Municipal Manager for Bojanala District Municipality made an appearance before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 19 September 2022 following his arrest by the Hawks on Saturday, for alleged contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

It is alleged that on 08 December 2017 whilst serving as an acting Municipal Manager, the accused irregularly appointed a company called Big Time Strategic Consultants to provide Information Communication Technology (ICT) audit services and development of an ICT strategy for the municipality for over R2.4 million.

It is reported that Big Time Strategic Consultants was at the time appointed to render the same services at Moses Kotane Municipality where the accused previously served as a Municipal Manager. The accused allegedly obtained written consent to inherit the said contract from Moses Kotane Municipality as per Regulation 32 of 2005 of the Municipal Supply Chain Management Regulations.

Subsequent to the appointment, it is alleged that services were not rendered to Bojanala District Municipality, however over R2.4 million was allegedly paid unlawfully to Big Time Strategic Consultants.

The accused was therefore charged with two counts of contravention of the (MFMA) Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003. It is reported that the municipality had not budget for the service at the time and a similar service had recently been been obtained by the municipality. Therefore the accused allegedly failed to ensure that the resources of the municipality are used effectively, efficiently and economically. He allegedly also further failed to implement the supply chain management policy.

The matter was postponed to 26 September 2022 for disclosure and the bail was set at R10 000-00.

Meanwhile Nqobile Sithole (39), former Municipal Manager for Rustenburg Municipality also made a brief appearance before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court today and her matter was postponed to 04 November 2022 for consultation.

Source: South African Police Service