Restraint order against ANC regional secretary Ntutu confirmed

A restraint order, effectively freezing certain assets belonging to ANC regional secretary Teris Ntutu, who is also facing criminal charges in the high-profile Mnquma Municipality corruption case, was today confirmed in the Grahamstown High Court.

This means that Ntutu may not dispose of any of the frozen assets pending an application being brought to forfeit them to the state.

Dozens of assets of all the others alleged to be involved in massive tender fraud in the Mnquma municipality -- including senior Mnquma manager Zanele Mbewu, businessman Regis Masuku, and the deceased estates of businessman Sive Nombembe and former Mnquma municipal manager Sindile Tantsi – were subject to restraint or preservation orders last year. The assets were valued at millions of rands that the Asset Forfeiture Unit said were acquired with money earned through fraud or corruption.

Ntutu indicated he would oppose the interim interdict against him but filed no opposing papers.  Judge Rob Griffiths this morning confirmed the restraint order and ordered Ntutu to pay the legal costs of the application.

Ntutu, Mbewu and Masuku have all been criminally charged with corruption and money laundering in relation to massive tender fraud in the Mnquma Municipality. Nombembe and Tantsi have both subsequently died in separate car accidents.