The 37-year-old man at the centre of a Hawks investigation into an alleged R45-million fraud, corruption and money-laundering scandal involving Mogalakwena Local Municipality has been granted R100,000 bail.

Lutchman Shanton was arraigned before the Mokopane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 17 September 2026, following his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team.

The court postponed the matter to 3 November 2026 to allow investigators to continue with their probe.

Shanton’s arrest follows an investigation into a fleet management tender advertised and awarded by the municipality in 2022.

The Hawks have alleged that preliminary findings indicate the procurement process may not have complied with prescribed procedures.

Investigators are also examining the movement of money linked to the tender and the possible involvement of individuals and private entities.

According to the Hawks, a legal entity allegedly linked to Shanton has also been identified during the investigation.

The arrest forms part of the Hawks’ broader investigation into suspected corruption involving public funds at the municipality.

Provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General (Adv.) Gopz Govender, said the investigation would follow the evidence and money trail.

“Every rand entrusted to a municipality carries the hopes and needs of the people it is meant to serve. When that trust is allegedly betrayed, the Hawks will not look away,” Govender said.

“We will follow the evidence, follow the money and follow every lead, regardless of where it takes us.”

Govender said the Hawks would pursue those found to have abused public resources. “We will act without fear or favour, firmly, professionally and within the law,” he said.