Former Ditsobotla Official and Attorney in Court for R460K Fraud Case

In Lichtenburg, North West province, a former municipal official and a legal practitioner have been brought before the courts on serious charges of defrauding the Ditsobotla Local Municipality of R460,000. Tsietsi Isaac Shema, 54, the then acting director of Corporate Services at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, and Thouret Mampe Thabe Tiro, 41, the director of Tiro Attorneys Pty Ltd, stood before the Magistrate in Lichtenburg facing grave allegations of fraud.

The ordeal unfolded when Tiro's firm allegedly presented an invoice in May 2021, requesting payment for legal services purportedly provided to the municipality. What emerged during the probe by the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit from Mahikeng was a stark revelation that no such services were ever rendered. The meticulous investigation prompted the arrest of the duo on Thursday, just prior to their court appearance.

Shema, alongside Tiro and another suspect who is yet to be apprehended, reportedly authorized the fraudulent payment, leading to the considerable financial loss for the municipality. In the courtroom, charges laid out included four counts of fraud and an alternative count of theft, painting a grim picture of the corruption that had infiltrated the municipal ranks. The accused have been denied bail and remain in custody until their upcoming bail application.

This case has drawn the attention of Major General Patrick Mbotho, North West Provincial Head of the Hawks, and Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in North West. Both officials have expressed strong support for the arrests and the pursuit of justice in this matter. Their comments resonate with a firm stance against corruption and a commitment to rooting out fraudulent activities, especially within the public sector.

The North West community, specifically those residing in Ditsobotla, have been awaiting the outcome of such cases, which underline the relentless fight against corruption. The bail application scheduled for the following day is keenly anticipated, as the public and officials alike await to see how the wheels of justice will turn in this significant case.