KRIEL – eMalahleni Local Municipality has confirmed the arrest of one of its Public Participation Office employees in Kriel, while Mpumalanga police identified the official as Bhekumusa Mahlalela.
According to police, Mahlalela was arrested by members of the Organised Crime Investigation (OCI) unit on Monday, 17 August 2026, following an undercover operation in Kriel.
It is alleged that Mahlalela demanded money from a contractor to facilitate a “peace agreement” between the contractor and community members. Police said the money was recovered and seized as evidence.
Mahlalela appeared in the Kriel Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, on a charge of corruption. He was granted R1 000 bail and the case was postponed to 7 October 2026 for further investigation.
“The matter is now before the relevant law-enforcement and judicial authorities. We will respect due process and the presumption of innocence,” municipal spokesperson Lebo Mofokeng said.
Asked about measures to protect community engagements, internal disciplinary processes, a parallel municipal investigation and support for the contractor and community, Mofokeng said the municipality has a code of conduct and policies that deal with all forms of misconduct.
“We urge all employees and members of the public not to engage in any unlawful conduct. Anyone with relevant information should report it through the proper authorities or the municipality's established reporting channels. No individual is above the law, and any verified wrongdoing will be addressed firmly and transparently.”
The arrest comes more than a year after two senior Mayoral Committee councillors from the same municipality were arrested at Witbank Dam in April 2025 for allegedly accepting part of a R500 000 bribe.
The councillors were allegedly caught receiving R20 000 in cash from a businessperson seeking a lease extension. Police alleged that another R40 000 had been paid in February 2025, with both amounts split between the suspects.
Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Apaphia Modise welcomed Mahlalela’s arrest, saying it sends a strong message that police will not tolerate corruption or extortion that disrupts service delivery.
“I commend our members for their swift response. We will continue working with municipalities, businesses and communities to fight this scourge,” she said.
