EVANDER, Thursday 8 October 2026 — Three people, including two former municipal employees and a service provider, have appeared before the Evander Magistrates’ Court in connection with an alleged procurement fraud involving more than R1.5 million paid by Govan Mbeki Local Municipality for goods and services investigators say were never delivered.
The Hawks confirmed that the arrests followed an investigation into procurement transactions dating back to December 2022.
The accused are service provider Brutus Hlophe, 46, former municipal official Caiphus Ndimande, 48, and retired municipal employee Henry Swart, 65.
Hlophe and Ndimande were arrested on Tuesday, while Swart handed himself over to investigators on Wednesday.
Municipality allegedly paid for undelivered services
According to the Hawks, the investigation concerns an invoice submitted by J Mabhengu Construction and Transport on 5 December 2022.
The company allegedly invoiced the municipality for goods and services that were not supplied.
The municipality made payment four days later.
Investigators allege that the transaction did not comply with prescribed municipal supply-chain management procedures.
The company had previously been appointed to a panel of municipal service providers in June 2021.
That arrangement required quotations to be requested through the municipality’s procurement processes and provided for the conclusion of service-level agreements.
The Hawks allege that those requirements were not followed in the disputed transaction.
Former officials and company face charges
The three accused and the company face charges of fraud and corruption under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
Hlophe appeared in court alongside Ndimande following their arrests.
Swart subsequently appeared after handing himself over to the Hawks.
The accused were remanded in custody pending formal bail proceedings scheduled for Thursday, 8 October.
The charges remain allegations and no finding of guilt has been made.
Hawks continue municipal corruption investigation
Mpumalanga Hawks head Major-General Nico Gerber said the investigation formed part of efforts to address corruption involving public institutions.
The investigation is being conducted by the Secunda Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.
The case comes less than a month before the 4 November local government elections, when municipal governance and accountability will be among the issues facing voters.
The investigation will now proceed through the criminal justice system, with the accused expected to return to court for their bail applications.
