By Patrick Hlahla and Sapa
A Municipal manager of a council near Tshwane, arrested in connection with fraud involving millions of rands, will appear in court today.
Philemon Mapulane was arrested by the Hawks and tactical reaction team units at his home in Pretoria East on allegations of fraud and corruption involving millions of rands.
He will appear in the Pretoria Commercial Crimes Court.
The municipality suspended Mapulane last October for suspected corruption and theft.
Sources in the Madibeng municipality, in Brits, described Mapulane as "a corrupt municipal manager".
Making a number of accusations against him they detailed how he had allegedly:
- Allocated tenders to his friends.
- Allocated car allowances to officials who did not qualify.
The sources claimed councillors were too scared to oppose him because he was a member of the ANC Youth League. "They were scared that if they challenged him, he would report them to the (ANC's) PEC (Provincial Executive Committee)," they claimed.
"He used some officials in the supply chain management division for his own benefit," the official said.
Another official said Mapulane was "credited for single-handedly bringing the municipality down".
"The municipality is under administration because of his actions," he said.
Hawks spokesman Colonel Musa Zondi said Asset Forfeiture Unit members had begun investigations into a possible preservation order being granted against his three homes and four cars.
Ministry of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokeswoman Vuyelwa Qinga-Vika said Mapulane was yet to face disciplinary hearings. Police have arrested another man whom they believe was Mapulane's accomplice in committing the alleged crimes, she said.
Madibeng municipality spokes-man Patrick Morathi said he only learned about Mapulane's arrest after a statement issued by the Hawks yesterday.
Morathi said Mapulane was suspended by the municipality last October on allegations of mismanagement. It would appear the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs laid criminal charges against Mapulane, he said.
"We cannot speak on his (Mapulane's) behalf, because as far as we are concerned, the matter is sub judice," said Morathi.
In February, Mapulane failed in his attempt to force Madibeng to reinstate him as municipal manager.
He approached the Labour Court for an order setting aside his suspension. His legal representative argued that it was "invalid, unlawful and of no legal force and effect".
The Labour Court said Mapulane was placed on special leave on August 4 last year and suspended on August 13. On December 17, Mapulane was served with a charge sheet and a notice to attend a disciplinary hearing on December 28.
Mapulane could not attend the inquiry on December 28 because he was overseas.
He informed the municipality on January 7 this year of his intention to resume his duties.
The municipality replied that he was not entitled to resume his duties as he remained suspended.
In dismissing Mapulane's application, the court ruled he had failed to meet "the threshold requirements for interim relief".
DA councillor Eddie Barlow filed charges last year against Mapulane and technical services manager Mondi Juta over water pollution in Madibeng.
Juta was later suspended over the collapse of sewerage plants.
Barlow said at the time that the Crocodile River was being polluted "at a devastating rate".
None of the sewerage plants in Madibeng was functioning properly and up to 12 million litres of raw sewerage were flowing into the river in Brits.
In March this year, thousands of people marched to the Madibeng municipal offices to hand over a memorandum demanding improved service delivery and the removal of the council from office.
The residents complained about the water quality in the municipality and called for the resignation of mayor Sophie Malokoane-Machika who is still in office.