Olwethu Madikizela (34) appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court yesterday, 28 September 2021 shortly after her arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for charges of theft.

Madikizela was employed by the King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality as a cashier, responsible for receiving monies paid to the municipality in lieu of utility bills. It is reported that some of the larger clients such as banks would transfer or deposit the monies owed into the municipality bank account and would then furnish her with proof of payments. It is alleged that Madikizela used the same proof of payments to defraud the municipality from 28 February to 15 March 2018.

The fraudulent activities were identified by the municipality after the municipal bank statements and daily worksheets did not correspond then the matter was reported to the Hawks. She was warned to reappear on 07 October 2021 for an attorney. The municipality suffered a total loss of R27 000-00.

Source: South African Police Service