A 55-year-old Ward Councillor Thuliswa Jotile, from the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality was arrested by the Hawks Unit, facing serious allegations of fraud.
She is accused of exploiting her position in 2018 when she allegedly manipulated a man into registering a company which provided catering and transport services for the municipality. Following the registration, the suspect reportedly took control of all company documents, including the bank card and PIN, and registered her cell phone number for banking notifications to monitor all transactions.
Discrepancies in the company’s details raised alarm bells within the Municipality, revealing fraud that led to a financial loss of R16,800. An investigation by the Hawks found that the councillor had unlawfully engaged in business dealings with the Municipality, which is against the law according to Regulation 13(c) of the Public Service Regulations,2016.
The Ingquza Hill Local Municipality is said to be aware of the damage and fear this might cause within its residents and has promised to cooperate and assist to restore law and order.
The arrest of ward councillor Jotile has sent shockwaves and mixed feelings within the communities of the Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, with some questioning its integrity. She has since appeared before the Mthatha Specialized Commercial Crimes Court.
The presiding magistrate in Jotile’s case has remanded the case until the 24th of October 2024 for further investigation. This is after Jotile’s legal representatives requested an exchange of case documents.  The suspect has since been released on bail of R2000.
