Witbank Deputy CFO arrested over graft report leak
The Middelburg Hawks corruption-busters have netted another alleged big fish with the arrest of Edwin Mphikeleli Sibiya (64).
Sibiya, Emalahleni Local Municipality Assistant Finance Manager, appeared before the Witbank Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 8, after he was arrested by the Middelburg based Serious Corruption Investigation Unit on corruption charges.
It is alleged that during June 2022, the accused, as an employee of Emalahleni Local Municipality, was involved in the leaking of a section 106 report that was compiled by a forensic company called AFIS, tasked with probing maladministration at the municipality.
The forensic company individual was allegedly paid an amount of R8 700 by by a municipal official to access the report.
Information was then received by management regarding the report circulating amongst the employees.
A case was opened and referred to the Hawks for further Investigation.
During Investigation, it was established that there were payment transactions from the account number of the accused to one of the forensic investigators.
Investigation feedback was submitted to court and a warrant of arrest was authorised and executed, resulting in Sibiya’s court appearance. He was released on R5000 bail and the case was postponed to 13 December.
More arrests are expected soon.
