By Karabo Marifi
Two high-profile arrests were made on Thursday, 05 September 2024, involving prominent officials at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in North West. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested Mathebula Thouret Mampe Thabe Tiro (41), the director of Tiro Attorneys (PTY) LTD, and Tsietsi Isaac Shema (54), the former acting director of Corporate Services at the municipality. The pair face serious charges of fraud in connection with a scheme that allegedly cost the municipality over R460,000.
Their arrests follow an intensive investigation by the Mahikeng-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit. The two men appeared in the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court the same day to answer to the charges. Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula confirmed that the charges stem from fraudulent activities related to the procurement of legal services for the municipality.
Allegations of Fraud Unveiled
The fraudulent activity in question dates back to May 2021, when Tiro Attorneys allegedly submitted an invoice for legal services that were never rendered. According to Lieutenant Colonel Mathebula, the investigation uncovered that the legal services claimed by Tiro Attorneys were entirely fabricated. Shema, along with another suspect who remains at large, is accused of approving the fraudulent payment request.
The municipality suffered a substantial financial loss of more than R460,000, which was paid out for services that did not exist. The fraudulent scheme involved a calculated and deliberate effort to siphon funds from the municipality, leveraging Shema’s position as the acting director of Corporate Services at the time.
In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Mathebula noted: “The accused were arrested earlier on Thursday in Lichtenburg by members of the Mahikeng-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. Their arrest follows an investigation into allegations of fraud relating to the procurement of legal practitioner’s services for the municipality.”
Court Appearance and Charges
Tiro and Shema now face four counts of fraud, with an alternative charge of theft. The legal process kicked off swiftly with their first appearance in the Lichtenburg Magistrates’ Court on the same day of their arrest. Both accused have been remanded in custody, and their case has been postponed to 06 September 2024 for a formal bail application.
The stakes are high for both men, as the allegations carry significant legal consequences. Fraud and theft charges, particularly those involving the misuse of public funds, are treated with the utmost seriousness by South African authorities. The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have made it clear that they will pursue justice for municipalities and ensure that corrupt officials are held accountable for their actions.
Hawks and NPA Take Action
The arrest of Tiro and Shema marks another victory for the Hawks and the NPA in their ongoing efforts to root out corruption in South Africa’s public sector. The North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, and Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, have both publicly endorsed the swift actions taken by their teams.
In a joint statement, Mbotho and Makhari reassured the public that corruption will not be tolerated: “The Hawks and NPA will not hesitate to act against public officials who are involved in fraud and corrupt activities.” The two leaders emphasized their commitment to the integrity of the country’s municipalities, warning that further arrests and investigations may follow as their work to uncover fraud intensifies.
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