Former mayor of Emadlangeni municipality arrested
Hawks members from Durban Serious Corruption Investigation arrested a former mayor of Emadlangeni Municipality in Utrecht in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Lindile Mhlungu (42) and her accomplice, Musawenkosi Thwala (52).
The two were arrested for fraud, contravention of municipal finance management Act (MFMA) and corruption.
According to Hawks KZN Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo it is alleged that on 10 July 2019, Mhlungu introduced a service provider to do a presentation in respect of a feasibility study for the development of a mall at Utrecht.
“She allegedly instructed the former Municipal Manager to appoint the said service provider. The Municipal Manager allegedly complied with her instruction and proper Supply Chain Management processes were not followed. Few weeks later the service provider in question submitted an invoice of R2 014 250.00 to Emadlangeni Municipality for payment.
“A purchase order was allegedly created and the service provider was paid. However, it is alleged that no work was done and the matter was reported to the Hawks members for thorough investigation. Members worked together with the National Prosecuting Authority and the two were arrested yesterday,” he said.
Mhlongo said they briefly appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court and were released on bail.
“Mhlungu was granted R10 000.00 bail and Thwala was granted R2000.00 bail. The case was postponed to 1 September 2026. More arrests are expected,” he said.
