The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), working in partnership with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), effected a series of arrests across the North West, Western Cape, and Limpopo provinces this week, targeting suspects linked to fraud and corruption.
In the North West, Tshiamo Justice Makwati (51), director of TJ Mampe Trading and Projects Close Corporation; Mosimaneapula Jonas Molefe (65), former Chief Financial Officer of the North West Housing Corporation; and Shanice Ditlhare Morubane (46), former secretary at Koikanyang Incorporated Attorneys, appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 4, 2025.
According to a joint statement by the Hawks and NPA, “Between 2005 and 2009, the accused allegedly participated in the fraudulent sale of properties owned by the North West Housing Corporation.” Investigators said Makwati paid deposits on several properties with prices ranging from R14,000 to R124,000, but “did not pay the purchase prices in full.” Ten properties were transferred to his company, resulting in a financial loss of over R455,000 to the Housing Corporation.
Morubane allegedly “forged the signature of an attorney in respect of the power of attorney on one of the properties,” while Molefe reportedly confirmed only one of the ten properties was fully paid.
All three were granted bail — Makwati at R3,000, and Molefe and Morubane at R1,000 each. Their matter was postponed to July 11, 2025, for their first appearance in the Regional Court.
Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, North West acting Hawks Head, and Dr Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions in the province, “welcomed the arrest and subsequent court appearance of the accused.”
In the Western Cape, a 41-year-old general assistant from the Knysna Local Municipality was arrested at his workplace on June 4 by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in George.
According to a media statement by Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, “It is alleged that between September 2019 and November 2021 the suspect was paid an amount of R37,500.00 by two members of the public in exchange for employment at the Knysna Municipality.” The first victim paid R30,000 and the second paid R7,500, but “did not receive employment as promised.” The suspect is set to appear in court on June 5, 2025.
In Limpopo, a 30-year-old former driving school instructor was arrested on June 3 during a joint operation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team in Polokwane and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC). According to Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, “It is alleged that during the period between 2020 and 2021, the suspect was working as a driving school instructor in Lephalale” and “acted as an intermediary during fraud and corruption involving officials attached to Lephalale Testing Station.”
The case forms part of a wider investigation in which “other 14 suspects: traffic officials, driving school owners, and former traffic examiner were arrested between February and June 2025.” The suspect appeared before the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on June 4, 2025.