Corruption: Former municipal manager and CFO to appear in court

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team has served a former Eden District Municipality Manager and a former Chief Financial Officer with summons to appear in the George Regional Court on 10 November 2020. The pair will appear for alleged fraud, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act. 

CORRUPTION: DUO ACCUSED OF RAKING IN SALARIES 

It is alleged that between November 2010 and 31 August 2011, the duo connived and signed full-term employment contracts with both Kannaland Council and Eden District. This allegedly enabled them to unduly receive salaries from both municipalities which resulted in the total loss estimated at over R2 million.

They cannot be named until they appear in court in November. 

In a separate incident, Sedibeng Municipal Manager Stanley Khanyile and two others were arrested last week for corruption and fraud worth R29 million. 

Khanyile, the then Chief Director in the office of HOD Vuyokazi Valentia Sangoni and the Director of Umnotho Development Poovandaren Chetty appeared at the King William’s Town Magistrate Court on 14 August. Magistrate Nkosinathi Mjekula granted Chetty R200 000 bail, Khanyile was granted R50 000 bail while Sangoni was granted bail for R20 000. 

Khanyile allegedly flouted procurement prescriptions and processes to ensure that Chetty was awarded a R14 466 million contract. This comes at a time when corruption is no doubt ravaging through the country. 

FIVE YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR CLONED BANK CARD FRAUDSTER

In a separate incident, Songeza Gqolana, 27, appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Bellville, Cape Town on Monday 17 August for sentencing regarding various charges of fraud, forgery and contravening of the Electronic Communication and Transaction (ECT) Act. 

Gqolana, who was employed as a barman at a popular eatery in Cape Town, stood trial after he was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in March 2019.

The court has found him guilty as charged on five counts of fraud in violation of the Electronic Communications and Transaction (ECT) Act and Money laundering.

Gqolana has been sentenced to five years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of any similar offence within the period of suspension. Additionally, the court has sentenced Gqolana to a R40 000 rand fine or one-year imprisonment suspended for five years. 

The court further sentenced him to three years correctional supervision and further declared him unfit to possess a firearm.