Official nabbed for trickery

Former Dihlabeng municipal manager Phakiso Patrick Mokoena (40) was arrested in Bethlehem on charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering.

On Thursday, 7 March, Mokoena appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrates’ Court after being arrested by the Hawks on the abovementioned charges.

Mokoena was appointed as the municipal manager without the municipal procedures being followed, and it was discovered that he had handed in a fraudulent matric certificate on his assumption of duty. He was appointed on a three-month contract for the period February 2022 to April 2022, with R53 000 remuneration per month.

The Hawks’ investigators presented a compelling case before the prosecution, which resulted in a warrant for his arrest.

Mokoena was released on bail set at R10 000, and the case was postponed until 10 April.

Phakiso Patrick Mokoena (40), former Dihlabeng municipal manager, was arrested in Bethlehem on charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering. Photo: Supplied