All charges of fraud and corruption against a traffic official from Makhado Municipality were dropped earlier this month. However, the ordeal ruined his reputation and caused immense harm to him and his family, he said.
In an interview with Limpopo Mirror this week, 55-year-old Ezekiel Sigagamba from Kutama unpacked his frustrations and described the trauma that followed his arrest in February this year.
Sigagamba was among eight suspects arrested during a major anti-corruption operation targeting fraud in Limpopo's driver's license system. He appeared in the Thabazimbi Magistrate's Court on 11 February, alongside Sello Takadi (62), Chetelane Nkata (45), David Moabelo (55), Zitha Zamelikhaya (57), Thapelo Monyaka (33), Patric Moseki (59), and James Molapisi (47). All were granted bail of R3,000.
According to a press release issued at the time by the Hawks, the charges stemmed from alleged fraudulent activities at the Lephalale Licensing Department between 2020 and 2023. The accused allegedly issued driver's licenses without following proper procedures, in exchange for bribes. The operation, described as a "takedown mission", also resulted in the seizure of electronic devices believed to contain crucial evidence.
When Sigagamba appeared in court on 3 June, he was informed that the fraud charges against him had been provisionally withdrawn because of insufficient evidence.
"While I'm relieved to be free, I'm still hurting inside. I'm going through psychological distress. Even at home, people walking past refer to me as 'the ex-prisoner who's back at work after prison'," he said.
He claims the ordeal has severely affected his family. "My three young children failed their recent school term because of the stress. At our Zion Christian Church (ZCC), my wife was told I should resign or risk losing my pension."
Sigagamba said he had left Thabazimbi in 2017 and had been appointed by Makhado Municipality on 1 September that year. "The charges relate to a time I was not even working at Lephalale. I submitted my appointment letter and other documents to prove this," he said.
He also voiced concern over the media coverage of the case. "You reached out to my employer, but they hadn't heard my side yet. By the time I got bail, the article was already published."
Upon release, he said he had submitted all his documents — including his bail conditions, charge sheet, and appointment letter — to his employer. He claims these show no link between him and the alleged offences. He estimates he has spent more than R20,000 on legal and court-related costs.
The National Prosecuting Authority's regional spokesperson, Ms Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, confirmed that the case against Sigagamba was provisionally withdrawn, but investigations are ongoing. "It is possible that he may be added again as an accused, should better evidence linking him to the offences be discovered," Malabi-Dzhangi said.
The case against the remaining accused has been postponed to 9 September 2025 for further investigation.