The two prominent councillors of the ANC in the Emalahleni local municipality in Witbank, Mpumalanga province, have been freed on bail after spending the long Easter weekend in cold holding cells of the SAPS.

They are facing charges of corruption, defeating the administration of justice, and extortion.Jerry Patrick Dijane (53) and Martha Busi Hlumbane (54), who also serve as influential members of the mayoral committee (MMCs) in the municipality, made their second court appearance today before the Emalahleni magistrate court for bail application.

They were granted R10 000 bail each and given strict conditions. Some of the conditions include that they should not contact the witnesses in the case and they should not enter the municipal premises of their employer.

Dijane and Hlumbane were arrested at Witbank dam by the Middelburg-based Serious Corruption Unit, after receiving R20 000 bribes that were part of an alleged R500 000 bribery money demanded from a businessman for his lease agreement to be extended.

According to the police, the R20 000 paid on Wednesday, 16 April 2025, followed a R40,000 payment in February 2025 and was equally shared between the suspects.

The R20,000 that was paid on Wednesday was recovered. Two luxury vehicles used during the commission of the crime were seized and may be forfeited to the state at a later stage.