KWABHACA- A shocking case of alleged municipal fraud has surfaced in KwaBhaca with a municipal employee and two accomplices facing charges of fraud and money laundering. An Account Expenditure Officer at UMzimvubu local municipality in KwaBhaca Sibabalwe Mgangatho(40), was arrested along with her brother Ongezwa Mngangatho(32) and her ex boyfriend Siniko Sinethemba Novukela(41).
Provincial Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba said, “The investigation revealed that Mgangatho exploited her position to misappropriate municipal funds, She allegedly prepared fraudulent vouchers. Sibabalwe uploaded payments and captured fake service provider details on the municipality’s Munsoft system.”
Furthermore, Mgangatho allegedly used her position to create fake vouchers and payments and then transferred the money to her own account, her brother Ongezwa reportedly received fraudulent funds transferred from the municipality’s account which were then redirected to Mgangatho’s account.
This incident of alleged fraud occurred over a period of four years, from 2013 to 2017.
In addition, the Hawks also found that Mgangatho had allegedly conspired with Novukela who owned Lilitha Communication and Construction (Pty) Ltd. to receive payments as fake service providers.
“The investigation found that Mgangatho allegedly processed 48 fake transactions and stole R2 million from the municipality deliberately,” said Fumba.
Three accused were arrested on 20 January 2025 and appeared in Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on the same day. They were granted bail of R5,000 each and the case will return to court on 03 February 2025.
The arrest of Sibabalwe Mgangatho and her accomplices marks a significant step in the fight against corruption in the Eastern Cape local government.
Photograph: supplied
