MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG - Ditsobotla Local Municipality were allegedly defrauded R460 000 by an attorney, Thouret Mampe Thabo Tiro (41) (director of Tiro Attorneys (PTY) LTD) and Tsietsi Isaac Shema (54), the then acting director of Corporate Services at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, appeared in Lichtenburg Magistrate Court for bail application.
They are facing several charges of fraud.
The alleged offences were committed in May 2021, when Tiro Attorneys allegedly submitted a request for payment to the municipality for legal services rendered. It was revealed during the investigation that Tiro Attorneys did not render any services and that Shema and another suspect, who has not yet been arrested, allegedly approved the request for payment. As a result, the municipality suffered a loss of over R460 000 for services that were never rendered.
During bail application, the state did not oppose bail, but insisted that the accused are facing schedule five offence as they acted together in furtherance of common purpose. The accused were released on R8 000 bail each. The matter has been postponed until 4 October 2024, for the availability of the State Advocate from the DPP office and possible joinder of accused four. The accused were warned not to interfere with witnesses or investigators. They were further warned not to commit similar offences while on bail.
The Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, and the North West Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho, welcomed the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused. They have assured the public that the Hawks and NPA will not hesitate to act against public officials who are involved in fraud and corrupt activities.
