The Kimberley Commercial Crimes Court has sentenced former Karoo Hoogland Municipality Manager Louis Nothnagel to four years in jail for theft and contravention of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA).
His second co-accused, Marius Botha, who was the municipality’s Chief Operating Officer (CFO), died shortly after their arrest in 2013.
Botha’s wife, Arina, was found guilty of theft and money laundering and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Northern Cape Hawks Spokesperson Tebogo Thebe says they have both been ordered to pay back R 700 000 to the State.
Thebe says, “The Former Municipal Manager and the CFO colluded and paid each other performance bonuses while at the municipality, without the necessary council approvals, and in contravention of applicable regulations.”
“Arina Botha, the wife of the deceased CFO, was found guilty on the alternative count of theft as charged in counts two to 26, as well as money laundering as per counts 27 to 52. She was sentenced to five years direct imprisonment and she was further ordered to pay R 200 000 back to the state.”
Thebe adds, “Accused one, Louis Nothnagel, was found guilty on count one to 26 of fraud, 53 counts of theft in contravention of Local Government MFMA of 2003. He was sentenced to a four-year direct imprisonment and ordered to pay back R 500 000 to the state.”
[LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SENT TO PRISON]
Kimberley Commercial Crimes court sentenced former Municipal Manager of Karoo Hoogland Municipality to an effective prison sentence. Mr Nothnagel was charged with theft and contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
The… pic.twitter.com/ZxKWM8AIVn
— South African Justice, Crime Prevention & Security (@RSA_CJS) March 12, 2025
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