Cops arrest ex-mayor in sting
2004-11-02 23:26
Delmas - Disgraced former mayor Juby Makhabane has been arrested for corruption after allegedly being caught demanding a bribe from local property developers.
Makhabane and fellow Delmas councillor Norman Mogapi were arrested by undercover police investigators on Tuesday morning while allegedly demanding an R80 000 bribe from a tender applicant.
The two politicians allegedly told the businessman they could guarantee his bid to buy council property would be approved "at a substantial discount".
Arresting officer captain Steven Smit said: "We were tipped off about the bribe, and set up surveillance. We have everything on camera.
"The suspects will be charged with corruption, and should appear in court later this week."
Smit declined to comment further.
Hung on to seat as ANC backbencher
Makhabane was axed as Delmas's executive mayor earlier this year after a forensic audit confirmed R173 000 had been embezzled from his discretionary budget two years ago.
The scandal cost Makhabane his position, but the defiant politician managed to hang on to his seat as an African National Congress backbencher, both at Delmas municipality and at the neighbouring Nkangala district council.
Makhabane's axing formed part of a provincial crackdown on corrupt politicians at eight major municipalities in Mpumalanga last year, spearheaded by a R1.3m forensic audit into tenders at the Gert Sibande, Msukaligwa, Lekwa, Greater Tubatse, Ehlanzeni, Nkomazi, Thaba Chewu, and Delmas councils.
Criminal charges have been lodged against senior managers at a string of the municipalities, with provincial authorities recently also committing to recovering all losses.