Thulamela councillor nabbed for allegedly offering R70,000 bribe to SIU investigator

A serving councillor from Thulamela Local Municipality in Limpopo, Netshivhumbe Gumani (44), has been arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigator in a bid to derail an ongoing corruption investigation linked to Mahikeng Local Municipality in the North West.

Gumani was arrested during a joint entrapment operation conducted by the SIU, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Hawks. He now faces a charge of corruption.

The arrest stems from an SIU investigation authorised under Proclamation R213 of 2024, which is examining allegations of maladministration and corruption relating to two municipal leasing tenders awarded by or on behalf of Mahikeng Local Municipality.

The tenders under scrutiny are the Lease Agreement SCM/MLM17(A)/12/2015, signed on 15 December 2015, and the Full Maintenance Lease Agreement SCM/MLM17(B)/12/2015, concluded on 23 February 2016.

According to the SIU, forensic investigations uncovered suspicious financial transactions involving a municipal service provider, with funds allegedly flowing to unrelated companies and individuals.

Investigators allege that Gumani initially approached an SIU investigator in an attempt to influence the investigation, but the offer was rejected. He later allegedly targeted a senior investigator, offering R70,000 to “close one eye” and ignore evidence uncovered during the probe.

On 18 June 2026, during a meeting in Mahikeng, Gumani allegedly handed over R10,000 in cash as part of the proposed bribe. The SIU further claims that he approached a third official from its Head Office the previous weekend.

After being alerted to the alleged bribery attempts, SAPS and the Hawks authorised an entrapment operation. Gumani was arrested immediately after handing over the cash, which was seized and counted in the presence of law enforcement officers.

He appeared briefly in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng, where the matter was postponed to 29 June 2026 for a formal bail application.