The Citizen
The Hawks said three people, aged 33, 42, and 64 were arrested in connection with the ongoing probe into the VBS theft saga.
Spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said the arrests were made during an early morning raid by members of their serious corruption investigation unit.
She said the 64-year-old suspect, who was the former Chief Financial Officer and acting Municipal Manager of the Greater Giyani Local Municipality, was arrested in Lulekani on charges of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), corruption, and money laundering.
The 42-year-old suspect was the acting Chief Financial Officer in Giyani, while the third suspect is a businessman who was arrested in Muhuya Village in Thohoyandou.
The 33-year-old faces charges of money laundering.
Mogale said two of the suspects had invested a total of R148 656 282.00 into VBS Mutual Bank, with large amounts being paid to VBS affiliated companies as so-called "commissions".
"Some of this money was laundered through several bank accounts including that of the third suspect.
"From the suspect’s company, a total amount of R87 600.00 was paid to the first suspect over a period of time as gratification which was a great loss to the Giyani Municipality," she said.
The three will make their first appearance on Wednesday.
#sapsHAWKS Three more suspects were arrested for over R148 million VBS corruption.
— SA Police Service ???????? (@SAPoliceService) March 5, 2024
During 2017, two of the suspects invested a total of R148 656 282 into VBS Mutual Bank. Large amounts were paid to VBS affiliated companies as so called "commissions". Some of this money was… pic.twitter.com/78XGLBiKoJ
