R2.7 MILLION LUXURY CAR BUST: MATLOSANA CFO MERCY PHETLA'S ALLEGED FRAUD EXPOSED

Matlosana Municipality's Chief Financial Officer, Mercy Phetla.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

In a shocking revelation that has sent shockwaves through the North West province, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU - AFU) have frozen three luxury vehicles worth R2.7 million, linked to an alleged multi-million-rand fraud scheme involving Matlosana Municipality's Chief Financial Officer, Mercy Phetla.

The investigation, which dates back to September 2023-January 2024, revealed that the municipality paid R6 million to a shell company, Variegated (Pty) Ltd, for services that were never rendered. A staggering R4 million of that amount was funneled to a vehicle dealership, where it was used to purchase three supercars: a Porsche, a Range Rover, and a Maserati.

The vehicles, now under court-ordered preservation, include:

- A Mercedes-Benz CLA 200

- A Range Rover Evoque

- A Maserati Levante S M156

Arrests and Charges

Six individuals have been implicated in the scandal, including:

- Mercy Phetla - CFO of Matlosana Municipality

- Tiisetso Sebetlela - Director of Variegated (Pty) Ltd

- Josephine Tsimane - Stores official

- Anga Shongwe, Mathapelo Puswe, and Vincent Shongwe - co-conspirators

The accused are set to appear at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Klerksdorp on October 27, 2025.

Brigadier Georgia Moos, Acting Hawks Head in the North West, hailed the preservation order as a joint victory against corruption. "It shows we won't let corrupt officials enjoy the fruits of their crimes," she said.

Dr. Rachel Makhari, Director of Public Prosecutions, praised the seamless collaboration between DPCI and AFU, emphasizing the commitment to holding those responsible accountable.

The scandal has triggered a wider investigation into Matlosana's finances, following a DA-commissioned report that flagged a staggering R292 million fraud scandal. The Hawks' latest operation is just the beginning, with more assets expected to be traced and more names likely.