The Hawks have arrested a 51-year-old Joe Gqabi District Municipality manager in connection with alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering involving a tender worth more than R1.6 million.
Dumisani Lusawana, a manager in the Department of Water and Sanitation Services, was arrested on 3 September 2026 and appeared briefly before the Barkly East Magistrate’s Court.
The case stems from a 2019 tender for the procurement and installation of water pipes for the Ugie community, which was awarded to Vukabalele Trading CC.
The Hawks allege that the procurement process was manipulated, with municipal officials fraudulently certifying delivery notes and invoices despite the water pipes allegedly never being delivered. The municipality subsequently paid the service provider in full.
Investigators also uncovered transactions allegedly linked to money laundering, including payments to Zim-Zet Trading (Pty) Ltd and the personal account of its director, Mandlenkosi James Matutu.
Matutu, an MP and sole director of Vukabalele Trading CC and Zim-Zet Trading, and municipal Water Supply Manager Thembelani Ngceba were arrested in March 2026. Both were granted R5,000 bail.
Lusawana was also granted R5,000 bail
Eastern Cape Hawks head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya praised investigators for pursuing those allegedly involved regardless of their positions.
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