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A 41-year-old project manager in the Mhlonto Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape was jailed for five years following his conviction on a charge of fraud.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said Zwelilungile Siqholo, was sentenced in the Qumbu Regional Court on Wednesday.
He said Siqholo awarded a construction tender to his sister-in-law’s company and submitted an invoice in the amount of R169 000 before signing a certificate of completion even though the work had not been done.
Tyali said the Municipality paid the money into the company’s bank account, but he said Siqholo, who had kept his sister-in-law’s bankcard, spent the money.
He said he was only arrested after the community of Khalankomo informed the municipality that the slab that was meant to be built was never constructed.
Meanwhile, Tyali said Siqhola would still face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, for allegedly plotting to kill a key witness in his case, Acting Municipal Manager, Thando Mase.
He said he would be back in the Mthatha Magistrate’s Court on 22 January to face charges of conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
