Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Eastern Cape Division of the High Court in Makhanda has ordered the seizure of assets belonging to officials of the Amathole District Municipality as well as directors of businesses.
The assets amount to R165 million, including a house worth R16 million, and R149 million recovered from their accounts.
Ntsokolo Chris Magwangqana, Nkosinathi Rooseveld Soga, Mpumelelo Vincent Shezi, Lulama Taleni, Ongama Mahlawe, Goodman Ntandazo Vimba, Bongani Mpeluza, Eddison Vuyani Gaga, Hellen Busisiwe Kwinana-Boadi and Lovemore Khativhu were charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering, assisting another person in benefitting from the proceeds of unlawful activities and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
They were arrested in November 2019 and released on bail. The provisional seizure of their assets was granted in December of that year.
The spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said the charges emanated from the construction of 66 700 ventilated improved pit toilets in villages around the municipality.
Siyenza Group received the R631-million contract.
However, National Treasury flagged the company for producing a fraudulent tax compliance certificate.
Mgolodela said:
She said the matter was postponed to 20 September 2023 because some of the officials filed representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Hawks’ provincial head, Major-General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya, commended the authorities for their work on the case.
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