Limpopo councillor re-arrested on separate theft warrant after SIU bribery bail

Councillor freed on bail in alleged SIU bribery case taken back into custody on separate warrant

A Limpopo councillor who had been granted bail in an alleged attempt to bribe a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigator was re-arrested after police discovered an outstanding warrant in a separate theft matter.

Bail granted in alleged bribery attempt

Netshivhumbe Gumani was granted bail of R10,000 by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng after being accused of attempting to bribe an SIU investigator. He was alleged to have offered the investigator R70,000 in exchange for ignoring evidence uncovered during an SIU probe into municipal tender contracts at the Mahikeng Local Municipality.

Scope of the SIU probe

The SIU probe cited in the case involves about R179 million paid to a service provider. The inquiry found that R28 million was later transferred to Anacot Trading, which is linked to Shahzaad Mohamed Hussein. It was reported that, after the SIU questioned Hussein about the transfers, he sent Gumani to the investigators to try to influence the investigation.

Re-arrest on unrelated theft warrant

Police took Gumani into custody again in Makhado after it emerged he was wanted on an outstanding warrant for alleged theft by false pretences.

SIU response

Acting Head of the SIU, Leonard Lekgetho, said the unit respected the court’s decision to grant bail and remained confident in its case. He described the alleged attempt to bribe an SIU investigator as an attack on the integrity of the justice system and on the fight against corruption.

“While we acknowledge the court’s decision to grant bail, we remain confident in the strength of the case before the court. The alleged attempt to bribe an SIU investigator is a serious attack on the integrity of South Africa’s justice system and on the fight against corruption. No amount of intimidation or inducement will deter the SIU from fulfilling its mandate. We commend the investigator for acting with professionalism and integrity, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that the matter is prosecuted to its conclusion”

The SIU said it would continue to work with law enforcement partners to see the matter through to prosecution.