More than R4-million meant for transporting mourners to memorial services for the late Nelson Mandela in Buffalo City Metro has been recovered by the state.
Last week the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) paid more than R4.1-million into the Criminal Assets Recovery account.
Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Tshepo Ndwalaza said the money, currently at the South African Reserve Bank, would be used to bolster other law-enforcement operations.
The money comes from R59 85000 paid to Victory Ticket by BCM officials. Victory Ticket is owned by East London businessman Mzwandile Sokwali and his wife Buyiswa Boti. Ndwalaza said the payment had been unlawful in that it flouted supply chain procedures.
“No requisition was received and no order was generated in terms of the supply chain processes. The procurement took place contrary to the approved deviation and Victory Ticket was not in BCM’s database of service providers,” he said.
The money was later distributed by Sokwali into the accounts of people with close links to ANC regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo.
An acquaintance, Zintle Nkuhlu of Lily Rose Trust, received R350000 while a former girlfriend, Nosiphiwo Mati, was paid R100000.
Mantella Trading, owned by local businessman Dean Fanoe, received R1.3-million. The company allegedly printed thousands of T-shirts.
East London businesswoman Viwe Vazi’s company, Forty Wings Lodge cc, was paid R899000 for catering, despite a National Treasury instruction to local government not to fund catering and other activities.
Vazi repaid the full amount while Sokwali and Boti paid back R1893074.85.
The Hawks investigated the case, which led to the arrest of a number of politicians including Mkolo, BCM executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, her deputy Themba Tinta, newly appointed BCM mayoral committee member Sindiswa Gomba and council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele.
Fanoe, Nkuhlu and Mati were also arrested, along with Ondela Mahlangu, a senior BCM official.
They are due back in court on Tuesday. It is believed Sokwali and Boti will be tried separately. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
R4.1m of Mandela R5.9m safe
Last week the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) paid more than R4.1-million into the Criminal Assets Recovery account.
Eastern Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Tshepo Ndwalaza said the money, currently at the South African Reserve Bank, would be used to bolster other law-enforcement operations.
The money comes from R59 85000 paid to Victory Ticket by BCM officials. Victory Ticket is owned by East London businessman Mzwandile Sokwali and his wife Buyiswa Boti. Ndwalaza said the payment had been unlawful in that it flouted supply chain procedures.
“No requisition was received and no order was generated in terms of the supply chain processes. The procurement took place contrary to the approved deviation and Victory Ticket was not in BCM’s database of service providers,” he said.
The money was later distributed by Sokwali into the accounts of people with close links to ANC regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo.
An acquaintance, Zintle Nkuhlu of Lily Rose Trust, received R350000 while a former girlfriend, Nosiphiwo Mati, was paid R100000.
Mantella Trading, owned by local businessman Dean Fanoe, received R1.3-million. The company allegedly printed thousands of T-shirts.
East London businesswoman Viwe Vazi’s company, Forty Wings Lodge cc, was paid R899000 for catering, despite a National Treasury instruction to local government not to fund catering and other activities.
Vazi repaid the full amount while Sokwali and Boti paid back R1893074.85.
The Hawks investigated the case, which led to the arrest of a number of politicians including Mkolo, BCM executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, her deputy Themba Tinta, newly appointed BCM mayoral committee member Sindiswa Gomba and council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele.
Fanoe, Nkuhlu and Mati were also arrested, along with Ondela Mahlangu, a senior BCM official.
They are due back in court on Tuesday. It is believed Sokwali and Boti will be tried separately. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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