The Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Mogwase, North West, on Tuesday adjourned the case against Gabonewe Ridam Madikela to 23 August 2023, to allow for “consultation and pretrial conference”.
The matter had been set for pretrial, however, the 39-year-old accused’s legal team requested a further postponement, to peruse further documents provided by the state.
Madikela’s R10 000 bail was extended.
The accused is facing six charges of fraud amounting to more than R522 000, which she received as remuneration for six months, while she was allegedly simultaneously occupying another government post without her employers knowledge.
Madikela was arrested by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on 27 March 2023, following an investigation into her alleged offence.
Madikela, who had allegedly found a new job, is accused of orchestrating a scam to continue drawing a salary from the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, where she was a Director of Local Economic Development from April to September 2022.
The appointment was to commence on 1 July 2019 to end on 30 June 2024, with an all-inclusive annual salary of over R1 million.
The accused was allegedly working at her new job at the Department of Water and Sanitation as a Director while also drawing a salary from the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
To cover for her absence at the Moses Kotane Local Municipality, Madikela allegedly applied for leave, study leave, and sick leave.
It is alleged that in March 2022, the accused applied for study leave from 30 March 2022 to 24 May 2022, with a confirmation letter from an institution of higher learning.
On 29 March 2022, she applied for 39 days of annual leave from 8 May 2022 to 27 June 2022, with the Moses Kotane Local Municipality granting her leave on both applications.
Towards the end of the annual leave, she allegedly submitted sick notes from a private medical facility in Akasia, purportedly issued by her doctor, indicating that she was sickly and hospitalised.
Investigations by the Hawks have revealed that during the period of her leave and purported illness, she was employed by the Department of Water and Sanitation as a Director, while still earning a salary from the Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
Investigations also reveal that the reasons provided for her leave were false, including supporting documents from the institution of higher learning, as well as the medical certificates she provided as proof.
North West NPA Spokesperson Henry Mamothame said investigations into the matter have been completed.
