KEY POINTS
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Two councillors arrested for accepting part of a R500,000 bribe.
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Authorities recovered R20,000 and seized two luxury vehicles.
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Hawks vow to continue eradicating corruption in government positions.
Authorities arrested two senior councillors from Emalahleni Local Municipality in Mpumalanga for accepting part of a bribe. The bribe, amounting to R500,000, aimed to secure the extension of a lease agreement.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, confirmed the arrests.
The councillors, aged 54 and 55, were detained by the Serious Corruption Investigation team. The arrest occurred on Wednesday, April 16, at Witbank Dam.
Bribe details and vehicle seizure
The incident comes after they allegedly received a R20,000 cash gratification, forming part of a larger R500,000 demand made to a businessperson seeking an extension of a lease agreement.
Authorities allege that the suspects also made a R40,000 payment in February 2025, splitting both transactions equally. They recovered the R20,000 payment made on Wednesday.
They also seized two luxury vehicles used during the commission of the crime.
Hawks’ commitment to tackling corruption
According to IOL, Major General Nico Gerber, Provincial Head of the Hawks, welcomed the arrests.
Gerber emphasised that the Hawks will not tolerate officials enriching themselves at the expense of the community. He noted that honest businesspeople should not have to pay bribes to ensure they can contribute to job creation.
The investigation into the wider R500,000 bribery scheme is ongoing.
