PKTT arrests alleged Emfuleni fraudster
The Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) has arrested alleged fraudster Janitha van Reenen Coetzee in connection with a case involving the Emfuleni Local Municipality.
Van Reenen Coetzee, 25, is accused of defrauding the municipality of approximately R424,000. She allegedly posed as an independent agent who could help residents secure discounts on outstanding municipal accounts, but the money handed to her was allegedly not paid over to the municipality.
The alleged fraud was uncovered after the late Emfuleni financial officer, Martha Mani Rantsofu, identified suspicious claims and reported them. Rantsofu was later killed in a shooting in Vanderbijlpark, with her murder drawing attention to alleged corruption within the municipality.
Van Reenen Coetzee has previously been denied bail, with the State arguing that she posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses. She also faces separate allegations linked to an R16-million Emfuleni fleet procurement scandal.
The latest arrest by the PKTT is expected to form part of ongoing investigations into the allegations.
