DUO ARRESTED FOR DEFRAUDING DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

BY STAFF REPORTER
Nkangala: The Hawks in Mpumalanga have arrested Godfrey Mthokozi Mchunu (50) and Hlaleleni Dinah Shabangu (45) I connection with fraud, theft and corruption. Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, Hawks Mpumalanga Provincial Spokesperson, said the arrest emanates from the incident that happened in September 2018, whilst Mchunu was employed as a project manager at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, where he allegedly colluded with Shabangu who was a service provider and director of Frugasec CC, to make irregular payments. “The payments were made by the department to Shabangu’s company for services that were not rendered, causing an actual loss of about R 1 265 400.00 for the department,” Sekgotodi said. She said the duo was arrested, charged and subsequently appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on Wednesday 08 December 2021.
“They were granted a R5 000-00 bail each and their case was postponed to 4 February 2022 for their appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court,” Sekgotodi said. Sekgotodi furthered said the Hawks have on Thursday 9 December, around 06:00 am arrested a 30-year-old male suspect at a house in Volkrust in connection with possession of drugs.
“The suspect was arrested during the search and seizure operation conducted by members of the Secunda Hawks`Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Crime Intelligence, Standerton Crime Intelligence, Standerton K9 and Secunda K9, following information that there were drugs on the premises,” she said.
Sekgotodi said the premises was thoroughly searched, wherein, police and Hawks members found 28 pieces of crack cocaine hidden in the kitchen, a bag containing 61 sachets of nyaope and a bag containing pure heroin hidden at different areas throughout the premises. “One male who was found in the premises was interviewed and indicated that his brother had already left to town and he was immediately arrested and due to appear in court,” she said.