Tebogo Msimanga |
The Rustenburg Magistrates’ Court postponed the case against Sello Michael Makhubela (45), Obakeng Glen Mokgale (39) and Orebotse James Tlale (40), to 28 September 2023 for consultation and disclosures with a new legal attorney, before the matter is transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for trial.
The court granted each of them R30 000 bail and they were warned not to interfere with the state’s witnesses, and to avail themselves for the next court sitting. Mokgale and Tlale were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Wednesday, 19 July 2023. They made their first court appearance on the same day, while Makhubela made his first court appearance on 31 July 2023, after handing himself over to the police.
North West NPA Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said Mokgale and Tlale are former employees of the Rustenburg Local Municipality who are charged with four counts of fraud. Meanwhile, Makhubela, who is a service provider, together with his company, are also facing the same charges.
“Makhubela is said to have also submitted fraudulent invoices amounting to over R1,7-million, for a service that was not rendered. The accused continued to sign the procurement documents, pretending to have seen the service that was rendered, for payment to be processed”.
Investigations into the matter are completed and the state is ready to proceed with trial.
