Ex-Tshwane mayor Murunwa Makwarela to appear in court on fraud rap

Controversial former Tshwane mayor Murunwa Makwarela is to appear before the Pretoria specialised commercial crimes court on Monday on a charge of fraud.

Makwarela handed himself over to the Brooklyn police station on Monday morning.

He is alleged to have submitted a fake court document to prove he was eligible to run for mayor.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed Makwarela’s expected appearance.

“I can confirm the appearance at the Pretoria specialised commercial crimes court. He will be facing charges of fraud related to the legal document he submitted,” Mahanjana said.

Makwarela was removed as mayor after it was revealed that he was insolvent, but he produced a certificate stating he had been rehabilitated from insolvency.

However, the Pretoria high court’s chief registrar confirmed that the document was never issued by the court.

Makwarela immediately resigned as mayor and left the public eye, claiming that two of his relatives passed away that same weekend.

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