KWABHACA-Allegations of municipal fraud have rocked KwaBhaca, with an account expenditure officer at UMzimvubu local municipality facing charges alongside two accomplices. Sibabalwe Mgangatho (40) was arrested alongside her brother, Ongezwa Mngangatho (32) and ex-boyfriend Siniko Sinethemba Novukela (41).
According to the Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Avele Fumba, Mgangatho is accused of misappropriating municipal funds by preparing fraudulent vouchers and uploading payments to the municipality’s Munsoft system.
The investigation revealed that Mgangatho had also created fake vouchers and payments, transferring the stolen money into her personal account. Ongezwa Mngangatho reportedly received fraudulent funds transferred from the municipality’s account, which were redirected to his sister’s account.
Mgangatho allegedly colluded with her ex-boyfriend Novukela, who owned Lilitha Communication and Construction (Pty) Ltd., receiving payments as fake service providers. The Hawks believe that Mgangatho processed 48 fake transactions and stole R2 million over a four-year period, from 2013 to 2017.
All three accused were arrested on 20 January 2025 and appeared in Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on the same day. They were granted bail of R5,000 each and the case is set to return to court on 03 February 2025.