Limpopo Councillor—Who Was Arrested for Allegedly Offering R70K Bribe to SIU Investigator in R179M Tender Investigation and Later Granted R10K Bail—Has Been Re-Arrested For Theft

Netshivhumbe Gumani, a 34-year-old councillor from Thulamela Municipality, was arrested on an outstanding theft warrant shortly after being granted R10,000 bail by the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng.

Gumani had appeared in court after being arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigator and is expected back in court on 18 September 2026.

According to the allegations, Gumani offered an SIU investigator R70,000 to manipulate the outcome of an investigation into tenders at Mahikeng Local Municipality.

He was allegedly acting on behalf of Anacot Trading, a company linked to questionable financial activities involving municipal contracts.

The SIU investigation found that a service provider received about R179 million from the municipality before transferring R28 million to Anacot Trading, owned by Shahzaad Mohamed Hussein.

The SIU alleged that after Hussein was asked to explain why he received the R28 million, he sent Gumani to influence the investigation.

Acting SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho said the alleged bribery attempt was a serious attack on the country’s justice system and anti-corruption efforts, adding that the unit remained confident in the strength of its case and praised the investigator for acting with professionalism and integrity.

Immediately after his release on bail, Gumani was arrested by Makhado police on an outstanding warrant for theft by false pretence.

The charges relate to allegations that he solicited money from several businesspeople in Limpopo to fund political activities linked to the 2014 youth league conference in Sekhukhune District. The bribery case remains before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court.