A 36-year-old director, his company and an employee of Emthanjeni Local Municipality made a brief appearance before the Petrusville Magistrate’s Court on charges of corruption and money laundering.
RHULANI Innocent Tshuketana, 36, his entity, Ribilwa Trading Enterprise, and an employee of Emthanjeni Local Municipality, Lusapho Donald Williams, 40, made a brief appearance before the Petrusville Magistrate’s Court on charges of corruption and money laundering on December 3.
According to Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi, Tshuketana was arrested on December 2 in Midrand, while Williams was arrested at his workplace on December 3. Both arrests were carried out by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.
It is alleged that in March 2020, a tender was improperly awarded to Ribilwa Trading Enterprise to supply personal protective equipment (PPE) to the municipality without adhering to proper supply chain management procedures. Preliminary investigations revealed that the company was repeatedly awarded tenders in a short period of time.
Further investigations uncovered that Williams, a youth co-ordinator employed by Emthanjeni Municipality, had been receiving financial benefits from the director of Ribilwa Trading Enterprise, Tshuketana.
Williams failed to disclose any business interests outside his official duties and was not authorised to receive remuneration beyond his employment scope.
Payments received by Ribilwa Trading Enterprise from the municipality amounted to R1,938,455, while Williams received R178,900 from Tshuketana.
In October 2024, the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court found Ribilwa Trading Enterprise guilty and imposed a fine of R30,000, payable by March 31, 2025, at the Kimberley Clerk of the Court.
Tshuketana was also sentenced to a fine of R50,000, with an initial payment of R1,500 due by November 7, 2024, followed by monthly instalments of R1,500 until fully paid. The combined fines for both the company and its owner amount to R80,000.
Both accused were granted bail of R10,000 each. The case has been postponed until April 14, 2025, and will be heard at the De Aar Regional Court.
