The South African Police Service’s Provincial Organised Crime Unit in the North West has arrested five suspects in connection with an alleged jobs for sale scheme at the City of Matlosana Local Municipality in Klerksdorp.
The arrests follow a complaint lodged with the municipality on Tuesday, 02 December 2025, by individuals who reported that they had been made to sign employment contracts on 17 November on condition that they each pay R10 000. Despite making the payments, no employment followed.
Police said a preliminary investigation identified two municipal officials along with two additional suspects. The municipal officials were traced and arrested. Two other men were apprehended on Anderson Street, where officers found them in possession of four completed employment application forms bearing the municipal logo. Police also confiscated a blue Toyota Corolla allegedly used in the operation.
The four accused, Paul Itumeleng (60), Tuelo Molekane (40), Simon Sethabela (50), and Thabo Kgafane (32) appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 04 December 2025, facing charges of fraud, corruption, and impersonating municipal officers. They were remanded in custody pending their next appearance on Wednesday, 10 December. A fifth suspect, a 44-year old municipal employee, was arrested on Thursday.
North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Ryno Naidoo, praised both the Provincial Organised Crime Unit and senior municipal officials for “exposing and arresting the suspects who were apparently going to continue to exploit unsuspecting job seekers.”
The arrests have been welcomed by the Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, which lauded the rapid and coordinated response by law-enforcement agencies. Committee Chairperson Freddy Sonakile said the breakthrough “demonstrates what is possible when law-enforcement agencies act promptly and decisively.”
We welcome these arrests and applaud the officers involved for acting with speed and integrity. Their work has stopped a deeply unethical scheme that preyed on desperate job seekers.
Condemning the targeting of vulnerable citizens, he added that targeting unemployed citizens who are simply trying to better their lives is shameful and unacceptable.These
These schemes destroy public trust and tarnish the credibility of our municipalities. We expect nothing less than firm, consistent action against anyone implicated in corruption.
With the festive season approaching and crime trends typically rising, the Committee urged SAPS to maintain heightened visibility and responsiveness. “Communities must feel protected. Crime, corruption, and the impersonation of officials cannot and will not be tolerated,” Sonakile said.
The Committee said it will closely monitor the progress of the case and expects full cooperation from the municipality as investigations continue. It also called for stricter internal safeguards to prevent similar incidents in future.
