Update
KNYSNA NEWS - An employee of Knysna Municipality, Thembela Shaun Kralo (41), who faces two counts of corruption, briefly appeared in the Plettenberg Bay Commercial Crimes Court on Monday 10 November.His three-day trial has been scheduled for 4 to 6 March 2026.
Arrest and charges
Kralo was arrested by the Hawks on 4 June and released on R3 000 bail following his first court appearance on 5 June.
His arrest stemmed from allegations that he accepted money in exchange for arranging municipal jobs for job seekers.
According to the State, in the first count, Kralo allegedly accepted R7 500 from a woman seeking employment at the municipality.
In the second count, he is accused of accepting R30 000 from a man in November 2021 to arrange employment for both the man and his wife. However, the promised jobs never materialised, resulting in the corruption charges now before the court.
New witness and further allegations
During Monday's court appearance, anti-corruption activist Siyabonga Mbilini, who attended the proceedings, revealed that Kralo allegedly acknowledged awareness of a third witness who has reportedly come forward with additional corruption claims and intends to testify against him.
Mbilini added that, despite allegedly admitting awareness of the claim, Kralo still maintains his innocence. The amount and nature of these new allegations have not yet been confirmed, and investigations are ongoing.
Community calls for justice
Mbilini, a known advocate against corruption, expressed strong support for those taking a stand against Kralo and emphasised that the community is committed to ensuring accountability.
"The community is seeking justice and wants to get rid of the root cause of corruption. Justice must prevail," said Mbilini.He added that residents are frustrated by what they view as a pattern of unethical behaviour within certain municipal structures and have called for greater transparency in local governance.
Concerns over Samwu appointment
The community has also raised concerns over the recent appointment of Kralo as provincial secretary of the South African Municipal Workers' Union (Samwu), despite the ongoing corruption case.
According to Mbilini, many believe the appointment represents a misuse of power and undermines efforts to uphold integrity within public service and union leadership.
"It's troubling that someone facing corruption allegations holds a position meant to protect and represent workers," he said. He appealed to community members who had bought vacancies from Kralo to come forward.
Mbilini further claimed that some municipal employees fear intimidation or dismissal if they come forward with information that could incriminate Kralo."He has more influence now, and there are threats that other people will be fired if they expose him or provide evidence against him," he said.
A Samwu member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were not at liberty to comment on Kralo's appointment as Samwu Western Cape deputy provincial secretary, explaining that the newly elected provincial leadership is still finding its feet.
Kralo served as Samwu Garden Route Karoo regional secretary before assuming his current provincial role.
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