THULAMELA COUNCILLOR APPEARS IN COURT

Thulamela councillor appears in court over alleged R70,000 SIU bribery attempt
Mahikeng, North West — Thulamela Local Municipality councillor Netshivhumbe Gumani has appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng in connection with an alleged attempt to bribe a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigator.
Gumani was arrested in June 2026 during a joint operation involving the SIU, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
He allegedly offered an SIU investigator R70,000 to interfere with a corruption investigation involving lease tenders at Mahikeng Local Municipality.
According to the allegations, an initial payment of R10,000 in cash was handed over during a sting operation, leading to Gumani’s arrest.
The matter was heard in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court before being postponed and transferred to the Commercial Crimes Court.
Gumani is expected to return to court on 7 December 2026.
The allegations against him have not been tested in court, and he remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.