A woman accused of defrauding the Emfuleni Local Municipality of more than R424 000 has been denied bail, as authorities move ahead with a fraud case that has become entangled in public speculation surrounding the murder of the municipal official who first uncovered the alleged irregularities.
Janitha van Reenen Coetzee, 25, appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court, where her bail application was dismissed after the State argued that she posed a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses.
The case stems from allegations that van Reenen Coetzee posed as an independent agent who offered residents assistance with obtaining discounts on outstanding municipal accounts. Victims allegedly handed over money intended for municipal payments, but the funds were never paid to the municipality.
She is further accused of submitting claims linked to municipal accounts, resulting in approximately R424 000 being paid into her account instead of reaching the intended beneficiaries.
According to NPA Regional Spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the alleged fraud was uncovered by the late Martha Mani Rantsofu, a financial officer at Emfuleni Local Municipality.
"The alleged fraud came to light when the then Financial Officer of Emfuleni Local Municipality, Martha Mani Rantsofu, who has since passed away, identified suspicious claims amounting to R424 000 and reported the matter to her manager," said Mahanjana.
Following an internal investigation, the matter was referred to police, leading to van Reenen Coetzee's arrest on May 20.
The case has drawn heightened public attention after Rantsofu, who flagged the suspicious transactions, was shot dead in a brazen daylight attack in Vanderbijlpark on March 30.
Rantsofu was shot multiple times while standing outside a tyre fitment centre near the Vanderbijlpark Police Station. Her killing, captured on video and widely circulated on social media.
In the weeks following her death, family members alleged that Rantsofu had feared for her safety and had previously reported suspicious financial activities and intimidation. Her brother claimed she had opened cases with law enforcement, including one that was escalated to the Hawks, while investigators were also probing allegations involving fraudulent municipal payments.
However, following the latest court proceedings, Emfuleni Local Municipality moved to distance the fraud case from speculation surrounding Rantsofu's murder.
In a statement, the municipality stressed that the matter before court relates to fraud and corruption allegations and should not be linked to separate claims involving a R16 million fleet tender.
"The passing of our late colleague, Martha Mani Rantsofu, has absolutely nothing to do with the alleged whistleblowing of the R16 million tender irregularities," the municipality said.
It further urged the public and media to avoid spreading what it described as misinformation linking the two matters and called for the legal process to be allowed to run its course.
Meanwhile, Prosecutor Moses Raditsela successfully opposed bail, arguing that van Reenen Coetzee was likely to interfere with state witnesses and that her residential address could not be properly verified.
"The State further argued that her release would not be in the interests of justice," Mahanjana said.
Magistrate Mamburu agreed with the State's submissions and denied bail.
The matter was postponed to June 23 for further investigation.
The Star
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