FORMER MUNICIPAL MANAGER APPEARS IN COURT FOR FRAUD
Former Municipal Manager of Mahikeng Local Municipality, Hennie Smit (71) and seven other accused made a brief appearance before the Mahikeng Specialised Commercial Crime’s Court today for several charges, which include fraud, theft, corruption money laundering and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Smit who was granted bail of R150, 000 was arrested in relation to the unlawful sale of municipal land to the value of R144 million without council approval. Investigations revealed on 31 October 2007, Smit agreed to a company for the sale of land belonging to the municipality. The said company only paid R5 million as a deposit to purchase the land. It was further revealed that the company went into liquidation in December 2011 without paying the municipality the outstanding debt. The court heard that directors of different companies sold and transferred portions of the land to five other companies. The defence lawyers of the accused want the case to be struck off the roll, stating the unreadiness of the state to proceed.
Representing the State Advocate, Mosegedi Pius told the court that the state is still awaiting the National Director of Public Prosecutions and the Minister pertaining to the application of section 38 of NPA Act. Section 38 of the NPA Act, which is the appointment of an outside council to handle the case. The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North- West, Dr Rachel Makhari assured the public that justice will be served to the victims. She further emphasised the NPA’s role in fighting commercial crimes in the country. The matter has been postponed to 31 October 2024 for the magistrate to deliver judgment on the application by the defence to have the matter struck of the roll.
