Matlosana fraud case in court as Maserati and Mercedes are seized

Suspended Matlosana Local Municipality chief financial officer (CFO) Mercy Phetla and her co-accused will face fraud, corruption, and money laundering charges after losing three luxury cars worth millions of rand linked to their alleged crimes.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) North West spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said Phetla and her accused will be appearing on Wednesday, November 19, for trial in the Klerksdorp Specialised Commercial Crime Court.

In September, Acting Judge Tebogo Maodi ordered that two of Phetla’s co-accused, Anga Ludidi Shongwe and Tiisetso Letlhogonolo Sebetlele, may forfeit three luxury cars – a Black Maserati Levante S M156, a red Mercedes-Benz CLA200, and a silver/grey Land Rover Range Rover – in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).

According to the NPA and the Hawks, the cars are worth millions of rand.

The order in terms of POCA, for which outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi applied, addressed to any other persons who may have an interest in the cars, states that Shongwe resides in Orkney, while Sebetlele stays in Jouberton.

Phetla, Sebetlele, Josephine Tsimane, a Matlosana stores official, Shongwe, Mathapelo Puswe and Vincent Shongwe are implicated in the matter.

Matlosana Municipality paid a service provider, Variegated (Pty) Ltd, over R6m for services that were never rendered.

Further investigations uncovered that from the amount paid to Variegated by the municipality, over R4m was transferred to a vehicle dealership for the purchase of three luxury vehicles – a Porsche valued at R2.3m, a Maserati valued at R1.4m, and a R1m Range Rover.

In terms of POCA, if a preservation of property order is in force, the NDPP may apply to a high court for an order forfeiting to the state all or any of the property that is subject to the preservation of property order.

The NDPP shall give 14 days' notice of an application to every person who entered an appearance.

Any person who entered an appearance may appear at the application to oppose the making of the order and apply for an order excluding his or her interests in that property from the operation of the order or varying the operation of the order in respect of that property, and may adduce evidence at the hearing of the application.

The municipality, which is under mandatory intervention according to the Constitution to stabilise and restore its financial health, suspended Phetla last year after she was charged with corruption and fraud.

“The municipality suspended the CFO pending investigations into allegations of serious financial misconduct. Following a forensic investigation, the CFO was reinstated to her position.

“However, in April 2025, the municipality instituted disciplinary proceedings against the CFO for other acts of misconduct, and the proceedings are still pending, including criminal charges against the CFO still pending before the courts,” the latest intervention report explained.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za