A Limpopo municipal councillor accused of attempting to bribe a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigator was rearrested moments after being granted bail when police executed an outstanding warrant against him in an unrelated theft case.

Netshivhumbe Gumani, 34, a councillor at Thulamela Municipality, appeared before the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng on Monday on charges relating to the alleged attempted bribery of an SIU investigator. The court granted him bail of R10,000 and postponed the matter to 18 September 2026.

However, his release from custody was short-lived.

According to the SIU, Gumani was immediately rearrested by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) from Makhado on an outstanding warrant for theft by false pretence. The second arrest is unrelated to the bribery case and concerns allegations dating back to political fundraising linked to the 2014 ANC Youth League conference in Limpopo.

The SIU alleges that Gumani attempted to offer an investigator R70,000 in an effort to influence the outcome of an ongoing investigation into procurement at Mahikeng Local Municipality in the North West.

According to the anti-corruption unit, Gumani was allegedly acting on behalf of Anacot Trading, a company that has come under scrutiny during the SIU’s investigation into municipal contracts.

The investigation is being conducted under Proclamation R213 of 2024, which authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption involving Mahikeng Local Municipality.

The SIU said its investigation found that an appointed service provider received approximately R179 million from the municipality in connection with two lease agreements.

Investigators allege that shortly after the payment was made, the service provider transferred R28 million to Anacot Trading, a company owned by Shahzaad Mohamed Hussein.

The SIU said investigators subsequently approached Hussein to explain the purpose of the R28 million payment.

Instead of providing an explanation directly to investigators, the SIU alleges Hussein sent Gumani to engage with investigators in an attempt to manipulate or influence the outcome of the investigation.

The alleged offer of R70,000 to an SIU investigator resulted in Gumani’s arrest and prosecution on charges relating to the attempted obstruction of justice.

Reacting to Monday’s bail decision, Acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho said the unit respected the court’s ruling but remained confident that the evidence before the court would support the prosecution’s case.

“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,” Lekgetho said.

He said the SIU would not be deterred from carrying out its constitutional mandate.

“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,” he added.

The SIU described the alleged bribery attempt as an attack on institutions tasked with investigating corruption and protecting public resources.

The anti-corruption unit said it remained committed to investigating fraud, corruption and maladministration across government institutions while working alongside law enforcement agencies to ensure accountability.

Meanwhile, Gumani must now also answer to a separate criminal matter in Limpopo.

According to the SIU, the outstanding warrant executed by Makhado police relates to allegations that Gumani solicited money from several businesspeople in Limpopo under false pretences.

The funds were allegedly requested to finance political activities linked to the 2014 ANC Youth League conference held in the Sekhukhune District.

The theft allegations are separate from the Mahikeng investigation and will be dealt with independently by the courts.

Gumani now faces criminal proceedings in two separate cases, with the SIU bribery matter set to return to the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 18 September, while the theft case will proceed through the Limpopo justice system.