City of Mbombela workers arrested over multimillion‑rand property scam

Mbombela – A 42-year-old administration officer employed by the City of Mbombela is expected to appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday alongside a 54-year-old colleague after their arrest in connection with an alleged multimillion-rand municipal property fraud scheme.

The pair were arrested by the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit over their alleged involvement in the unlawful sale and purchase of municipal properties, reportedly in violation of a 2023 moratorium banning such transactions.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), preliminary investigations suggest the administration officer used his knowledge of municipal property processes to orchestrate a series of fraudulent transfers, allegedly benefiting personally from proceeds exceeding R1.5 million.

In one incident, he is accused of transferring a house valued at R540,000 to his uncle, a person living with a disability, without the uncle’s knowledge or consent.

Investigators later found that the property was effectively under the control of the accused.

In another case, he allegedly benefited from the sale of a property valued at R442,000, which was sold to an unsuspecting police official. A third property, valued at R520,000, was reportedly sold to a fellow municipal employee who was allegedly aware of the moratorium.

Investigators also found evidence suggesting that the Municipal Manager’s signature was forged to facilitate the transactions. Despite the alleged irregularities, the sales were processed through administrative channels and registered with the Deeds Office, resulting in the issuance of title deeds.

The Hawks said the second municipal employee acted as an accomplice, allegedly aware of the moratorium and the illegal nature of the transactions.

The proceeds of the sales were allegedly used for the personal enrichment of the administration officer.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation welcomed the arrests, warning public servants against abusing their positions for personal gain.