Former Knysna mayor Thando Matika and two senior municipal officials are expected to appear in the Knysna Magistrates Court on Monday over corruption allegations linked to a municipal security contract.

EWN reports that Matika was arrested alongside acting municipal manager Boy Manqoba Ngubo and acting chief financial officer Busisiwe Lubelwana by the Political Killings Task Team.

eNCA reports that the trio face corruption and kickback charges linked to a R68 million municipal security tender.

Security contract under investigation

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said the arrests followed allegations that a businessman was asked to pay kickbacks in exchange for the continued security services contract.

According to EWN, Mathe said the businessman had allegedly already paid hundreds of thousands of rand because he feared the contract would be terminated.

eNCA reports that investigators allege the payments were solicited in return for allowing the tender to continue.

The allegations have not yet been tested in court.

Matika recently removed as mayor

Matika’s court appearance comes shortly after his removal as Knysna mayor.

EWN reports that he was ousted by the ANC on 18 September after his name appeared on Electoral Commission candidate lists under the South African Communist Party banner.

The SACP later named him as its mayoral candidate for Knysna.

Trio due before court

Ngubo and Lubelwana are expected to appear alongside Matika.

eNCA reports that the case comes while the Special Investigating Unit is also examining the municipality and circumstances surrounding the multimillion-rand security tender.

The court process is expected to provide more detail on the charges and the State’s case.

For now, Matika, Ngubo and Lubelwana remain accused and have not been convicted of the allegations against them.