By: Sello Theletsane
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Lepelle Northern Water board Phineus Legodi and businessman Matome Sefalafala appeared in the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court on charges of kidnapping, extortion, and corruption.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the pair was behind the November 2020 kidnapping of the then Acting (CEO) of Lepelle Northern Waterboard. He was kidnapped by a police officer, sergeant Gideon Matlala of Mamelodi Police Station.
Matlala was arrested in December by the Organised Crime Unit in Gauteng, and he appeared in Polokwane Magistrates court for kidnapping and extortion.
“During the investigations, it was revealed that Sefalafala and Legodi were behind the mission. It is alleged that the former CEO of Lepelle Northern Waterboard influenced Sefalafala to source out the police officer to kidnap the Acting CEO to authorize payment amounting to R2 980 962 under the pretence that Lepelle Northern Waterboard owed him money. It turned out that this was not true,” NPA regional spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said.
The trio is expected to appear in court again on September 23.
