Two high-ranking councillors from the Mayoral Council in Emalahleni Local Municipality, Mpumalanga, have been released on R10,000 bail each after they were arrested for alleged corruption involving R500,000.
Martha Busi Hlumbani, 55, and Patrick Jerry Dijane, 54, were released on strict conditions as the court warned them not to enter the municipality premises or leave the district without the knowledge of the investigating officer.
This comes after they were arrested on Wednesday, April 16, after allegedly accepting bribe money meant to secure an extension of a lease agreement.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said the councillors allegedly received a R20,000 cash gratification, forming part of a larger R500,000 demand made to a businessperson seeking an extension of a lease agreement.
It is alleged that a R40,000 payment was also made in February 2025, with both transactions shared equally between the suspects.
“The R20,000 that was paid on Wednesday was recovered. Two luxury vehicles used during the commission of crime were seized,” said Nkosi.
Meanwhile, Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, welcomed the arrest.
“We will at no stage allow people regardless of their positions to enrich themselves at the expense of the community. Honest business people are forced to pay bribes to ensure that they can contribute to job creation and employment,” said Gerber.
“Officials who form part of ensuring economic growth abuse their positions to benefit themselves. As the Hawks, we will never stop to eradicate corruption in whatever form. This should send a stern warning to officials.”
The investigation into the broader R500,000 bribery scheme is ongoing.
The duo is expected to make their next court appearance on June 4, 2025.
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