Rembulwani Tradewin Takalani, former CEO of dissolved Sedibeng Water, and chief financial officer Mpinane Anastacia Shasha have been arrested for fraud amounting to R129-million.
The pair, together with the director of Global Water Treatment Solution Jappi Sera Madigage, were arrested on Monday and appeared in court the same day.
They appeared in the Bothaville magistrate’s court where Takalani and Shasha were released on R60 000 bail each. Madigage was set free on R10 000 bail.
The trio faces charges of fraud, corruption, money-laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act in relation to the R129-million loss suffered by the entity.
Hawks spokesperson Fikiswa Matoti said the matter dates back to 2019 after the case was registered at the Bothaville police station.
This after a Sedibeng Water board member received a tip-off on the alleged wrongful conduct at the water entity, including the alleged irregular appointment of service providers at a 10% charge of the total invoice.
Corrupt relationship
“One of the service providers was Global Water Treatment Solution which supplied water purification chemicals to Sedibeng Water on rotational basis with other service providers,” said Matoti.
“Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a tender was advertised and Global Water Treatment Solution was irregularly appointed and awarded the tender.
“Takalani and the former manager of shared services at Sedibeng Water, who is now deceased, had a corrupt relationship with Madigage and his company.”
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, said the matter has been remanded to February 9 2024.
Sedibeng Water was dissolved in May 2022 with approval from Senzo Mchunu, the Minister of Water and Sanitation.
Mchunu signed off the gazette to transfer staff, assets and liabilities to Magalies and Bloem Water Boards.
The Department of Water and Sanitation announced at the time that the review was based on financial sustainability and availing water to more areas including those that had no water access before – both municipalities and households.
