Stratu and Vatala released on R15 000 bail

Update

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - Garden Route Municipal Manager Monde Stratu (47) and former Knysna Municipal Manager Sitembele Wiseman Vatala (56), who is currently unemployed, were released on R15 000 bail each, with strict bail conditions, following their court appearance yesterday 9 March in the Knysna Magistrate Court.

The two are facing charges of fraud, forgery and uttering and their case was postponed to 12 May for further investigation and to set a Regional Court date.

The matter was investigated by the police special crime unit, the Hawks.

In a statement released last night, Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani, provided some background: “It is alleged that between April and December 2019 the accused failed to declare seven municipal contingency assets to the Auditor General which were previously reflected on the 2012 and 2017 financial year audit reports of Knysna Local Municipality. These properties were supposed to be transferred from Knysna Local Municipality to Garden Route District Municipality, but the transfer could not take place.

“The value of these properties is R64-million. As a result of this alleged fraud the Knysna Local Municipality suffered potential loss. It was further alleged that the accused falsified the 2018/2019 audit report.”

Monde Stratu GRDM municipal manager