DispatchLive reports that seven months after being convicted on three counts of fraud, Senqu local municipality municipal manager, Mxolisi Yawa, is still serving in his position.  

He was convicted along with his personal assistant, her mother and business partner and former CFO Chris Venter.  The four will be sentenced on 6 February in the Komani Magistrate’s Court.  Yawa and Venter were convicted of fraud and of violating the Municipal Finance Management Act.  The other two were found guilty of having entered into a fraudulent deal with the municipality.  On the period between conviction and sentencing, the Criminal Procedure Act states that a convicted person can be suspended by an employer in terms of the employment contract, which means Senqu council has the authority to decide whether to suspend Yawa.  Municipal spokesman Pheello Oliphant said the four planned to appeal their convictions on the basis that the magistrate had erred in his judgment.  He explained that while Yawa had been placed on special leave following his conviction, but after seeking legal advice the council had decided to rescind this decision.

• Read this report by Zolile Menzelwa in full at DispatchLive

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