A Thulamela Municipality councillor who was arrested last week for allegedly attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigator was granted bail of R10,000 by the Molopo Magistrate's Court in Mahikeng on Monday — only to be immediately re-arrested on an outstanding Makhado warrant for theft by false pretence.
Netshivhumbe "Gogome" Gumani (44), a proportional representative (PR) councillor for the ANC in Thulamela, was arrested on Thursday, 18 June, in a joint entrapment operation involving the SIU and South African Police Service units, including the Mmabatho-based Serious Corruption Investigation team, the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, and the Mahikeng Tactical Response Team from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks).
It is alleged he attempted to bribe an SIU investigator with R70,000 to derail a corruption probe into the Mahikeng Local Municipality in North West.
The SIU is investigating allegations of maladministration and corruption at Mahikeng municipality, centred on two tenders: a lease agreement dated 15 December 2015 and a full maintenance lease agreement dated 23 February 2016. The SIU found that the appointed service provider received approximately R179 million from the municipality for the two lease agreements. Immediately after receiving the payment, the service provider transferred R28 million to Anacot Trading, owned by Shahzaad Mohamed Hussein.
According to the SIU, when investigators contacted Hussein to account for the R28 million, he allegedly sent Gumani to influence the outcome of the investigation.
The SIU said Gumani first approached one investigator, who refused the offer outright. He then allegedly approached a senior investigator, offering R70,000 to "close one eye" and ignore evidence gathered in the investigation. On Wednesday, 17 June, during a meeting in Mahikeng, he allegedly handed over R10,000 in cash as a first instalment of the bribe. The SIU said Gumani also approached a third official from its head office the previous weekend.
After being alerted, SAPS and the Hawks authorised an entrapment operation. Gumani was arrested immediately after handing over the cash, which was seized and counted in the presence of law enforcement officers.
It is alleged that Gumani was facilitating the bribe on behalf of Anacot Trading, a company associated with questionable financial activities involving municipal contracts.
Reacting to Gumani's release on bail, the acting head of the SIU, Leonard Lekgetho, said: "While we acknowledge the court's decision to grant bail, we remain confident in the strength of the case before the court. The alleged attempt to bribe an SIU investigator is a serious attack on the integrity of South Africa's justice system and on the fight against corruption. No amount of intimidation or inducement will deter the SIU from fulfilling its mandate. We commend the investigator for acting with professionalism and integrity, and we will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that the matter is prosecuted to its conclusion."
Immediately after securing his release on bail, Gumani was arrested by the Makhado police on the outstanding theft warrant. The charges stem from allegations that Gumani solicited funds from several businesspeople in Limpopo to finance political activities linked to the 2014 ANC Youth League conference in Sekhukhune District.
Gumani, who hails from Tshikhudini outside Thohoyandou, was co-opted into his council position three years ago when another ANC councillor was deployed to the Vhembe District Municipality. Based on pre-election posters circulating on social media, he was the ANC candidate for Ward 23 in Thulamela and was preparing to contest the 4 November 2026 local government elections.
However, upon learning of his arrest, the ANC moved to remove him from the candidates list. ANC Vhembe regional secretary Matodzi Ralushai said: "We have adopted the step-aside rule, which requires members facing criminal charges to step aside until their cases have been finalised. His branch, Raluswielo Branch, will rerun the entire candidate selection process over the weekend.
"Incidents of this nature tarnish the image of the organisation, and we strongly oppose such conduct. If you are charged, you must go to court and clear your name," he said.
Gumani is scheduled to appear in court again on 18 September 2026.