The former Chief Financial Officer of the troubled Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West, Isaac Tsie was released on a R5000 bail by the Lichtenburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday following his arrest in the morning.
The 44-year-old Tsie was arrested by the Mahikeng-based Serious Commercial Crimes Investigations (Hawks) in Lichtenburg following an investigation.
It is alleged that Tsie, and the former acting Director of Corporate Services at the Municipality Tsietsi Shema and the Director of Tiro Attorneys Mampe Tiro conspired together to defraud the municipality over R460 000.
According to the Hawks, Tsie and Shema approved payment for services that were never rendered to the municipality in 2021.
“It was uncovered during the investigation that Tiro Attorneys submitted invoices to the municipality for legal services he claimed to have rendered. Tsie and Shema reportedly approved payment for services that were never rendered. The trio is facing four counts of fraud and an alternative theft charge,” said the Hawks provincial spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula.
Tiro and Shema were arrested last week and released on a R8 000 bail each and are expected back in court on 04 October together with their co-accused Tsie.
The Hawks Provincial Head Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions Dr Rachel Makhari have welcomed the arrest and commended the collaborative work between the investigation and prosecution in ensuring that the accused are brought to justice.