The two ANC councillors of eMalahleni Local Municipality (Witbank) in Mpumalanga province who were arrested yesterday, 16 April 2025 will spend the long Easter weekend behind bars.

This is after the eMalahleni magistrate court stood down their matter and ruled that their bail judgment would be handed down on April 22 (Tuesday next week).

Jerry Patrick Dijane (53) and Martha Busi Hlumbane (54) also serve as influential members of the mayoral committee (MMCs) in the municipality. They are facing charges of corruption, defeating the administration of justice, and extortion.

They 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 crime were seized and may be forfeited to the state at a later stage.