Former CFO of the Newcastle Municipality, Bhekisisa Hlongwa, claims political interference in fraud charges against him
The former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Newcastle Municipality, Bhekisisa Hlongwa, has alleged political interference in the R7.8 million fraud case in which he stands accused, alongside the municipality’s former municipal manager and a service provider.
Hlongwa is facing charges of fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The State alleges that in 2018, he instructed the late Sishosonke Nkosi to draft a backdated appointment letter for Bonakude Consulting (Pty) Ltd to continue rendering services to the municipality without following the required Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes.
According to the State, Bonakude Consulting’s contract expired in December 2017, but an appointment letter was later backdated to create the impression that the company had been lawfully appointed to continue working in 2018.
Through his counsel, Advocate Gugu Gumede, Hlongwa denied the allegations, stating in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday that he had been promised the position of municipal manager by Vish Govender if he implicated former municipal manager Bhekani Mswane in a pending investigation against him.
