Louis Nothnagel, the former Municipal Manager of Karoo Hoogland Municipality, has been sentenced to four years in prison for theft and violations of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA). Nothnagel’s co-accused, Marius Botha, who served as the municipality’s Chief Operating Officer (CFO), passed away shortly after their arrest in 2013.
Arina Botha, Marius’s wife, was convicted of theft and money laundering, receiving a five-year sentence in connection with the case.
According to Northern Cape Hawks Spokesperson Tebogo Thebe, the convicted individuals have been ordered to repay a total of R700,000 to the state. Nothnagel and Botha had colluded to illegally approve performance bonuses for each other while employed at the municipality, bypassing the necessary council approvals and breaching regulations.
Arina Botha was convicted of theft (counts 2 to 26) and money laundering (counts 27 to 52) and sentenced to five years in prison. She is also required to repay R200,000 to the state.
Louis Nothnagel was found guilty of 26 counts of fraud and 53 counts of theft under the Local Government MFMA of 2003. In addition to his four-year sentence, he has been ordered to pay back R500,000 to the state.
