Former eMadlangeni mayor arrested over alleged R2m mall feasibility study fraud
The pair face charges of fraud, corruption and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
A former mayor of eMadlangeni Municipality and an alleged accomplice have been arrested by the Hawks over the alleged fraudulent appointment of a service provider for a mall feasibility study in Utrecht.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo said former mayor Lindile Mhlungu, 42, and Musawenkosi Thwala, 52, were arrested on Tuesday by members of the Durban Serious Corruption Investigation unit.
The pair face charges of fraud, corruption and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
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According to the Hawks, Mhlungu allegedly introduced a service provider to the municipality on July 10, 2019, to present a proposal for a feasibility study into the development of a shopping mall in Utrecht.
She is accused of instructing the then municipal manager to appoint the service provider without following the required supply chain management processes.
A few weeks later, the service provider allegedly submitted an invoice of R2,014,250 to the municipality. A purchase order was created and the payment was processed.
Investigators allege that no work was carried out despite the payment being made.
The matter was reported to the Hawks, who investigated the case with the National Prosecuting Authority.
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Mhlungu and Thwala appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court, where Mhlungu was granted bail of R10,000 and Thwala R2,000.
The case was postponed to September 1, 2026, and the Hawks said further arrests are expected.
KwaZulu-Natal acting Hawks provincial head Brigadier Zenobia Mulligan welcomed the arrests and commended investigators for their work.
