Municipal officials and engineering firm face multiple charges
Eight individuals, including senior Kamiesberg Local Municipality employees and the directors of an engineering consultancy, appeared before the Garies Magistrates Court on Thursday, 19 March 2026, on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Among those in the dock were BSP Consulting Engineers directors Mr Bevan Steyn (55) and Mr Bradley Plaatjies (50), alongside Municipal Manager Mr Rufus Beukes (42), Speaker Mr Melvin Cloete (50), Senior Accountant Mrs Rose Cloete (43), Personal Assistant Ms Melishia Nero (37), Cleaner Ms Fianna Fortuin (41) and Ms Aniston Fielding (22).
The Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team carried out the arrests following an extensive probe into allegations of kickbacks and corrupt activities within the Garies-based municipality. The investigation was triggered by a complaint lodged about irregular financial dealings at the local authority.
"It is alleged that during November 2024, BSP Consultant Engineers submitted a fraudulent invoice to Kamiesberg Local Municipality for work that was not done and they were paid a total amount of R216 284-66."
According to investigators, a further R75 000 from the fraudulent payment was deposited into a Capitec bank account belonging to Ms Fielding. The funds were subsequently distributed to various bank accounts held by municipal employees, suggesting an organised scheme to funnel public money to insiders.
The court granted bail to all the accused. Steyn and Plaatjies were each released on R10 000 bail, while Rose Cloete, Fielding, Nero and Fortuin were granted R1 000 bail each. Speaker Melvin Cloete's bail was set at R20 000, and Municipal Manager Beukes was released on R5 000 bail. The matter has been postponed to Thursday, 23 April 2026, when it will be heard at the Springbok Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
Second case linked to undelivered water pumps
In a separate but connected matter heard on the same day, the investigation team also apprehended Mr Harold Meyer (50), who represents Van Kay General Dealer and serves as Fleet Manager at the Namakwa District Municipality in Springbok. Municipal Manager Beukes and Speaker Cloete were again implicated in this second case.
The allegations centre on Kamiesberg Local Municipality's procurement of two water pumps from Van Kay General Dealer on separate occasions, costing R128 500 and R147 268 respectively. Neither pump was ever delivered to the municipality, yet full payment totalling R275 768 was authorised. Beukes allegedly approved the payments despite being aware that the goods had not been received.
"A total amount paid to Van Kay General Dealer is R275 768-00."
Meyer was granted R5 000 bail by the same court, while Beukes and Cloete were released on warning in connection with this second case. The matter has likewise been postponed to 23 April 2026 for hearing at the Springbok Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
South African municipalities already struggle with limited resources, and the alleged theft of nearly R500 000 from Kamiesberg highlights how corruption directly undermines service delivery in small, rural communities that depend heavily on public funds for essentials like water infrastructure. Local businesses may also suffer reputational harm and reduced trust in procurement processes. The case's progression to the Springbok Specialised Commercial Crimes Court will test the justice system's capacity to hold local officials accountable.
