The younger sister of former OR Tambo district municipality project accountant will have her day in court in May after her trial was postponed in the Mthatha high court on Monday.
Thumeka Qongqo was arrested alongside her sister Nyameka and Alex Notshokovu in 2015 for theft, fraud and money laundering.
During her brief appearance before judge Richard Brooks, Qongqo, charged together with her construction company Ogiyonke, sported a new haircut and dressed in black and white.
The case was postponed after it emerged the state prosecutor, advocate Mthuthuzeli Rangula, would be available from May 3 to 7 for the trial.
Qongqo, unlike her former co-accused sister and her ex-boyfriend Alex Notshokovu, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.
She is out on R10,000 bail.
Nyameka was convicted last month after she entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the state and admitted to defrauding the municipality about R9.8 million between 2012 and 2014.
During the time she transferred money to her sister and ex-boyfriend's accounts. She will be back in the dock on March 25 for a pre-sentencing report.
Notshokovu pleaded guilty and turned state witness. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or R50,000 fine.
DispatchLIVE reported in 2015 that over R2.1m was moved from the municipality’s coffers to Ogiyonke Construction which Thumeka was the director.
According to regional National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, a total of R2.1-million was reimbursed to the municipality.
This after a joint operation by the Hawks, Asset Forfeiture Unit that saw assets allegedly bought by the coffers money, including a Golf 7 motorcar and furniture, seized.
DispatchLIVE
Ex-accountant's sister in court, OR Tambo municipality R9m fraud case delayed
Image: FILE/ ZIYANDA ZWENI
The younger sister of former OR Tambo district municipality project accountant will have her day in court in May after her trial was postponed in the Mthatha high court on Monday.
Thumeka Qongqo was arrested alongside her sister Nyameka and Alex Notshokovu in 2015 for theft, fraud and money laundering.
During her brief appearance before judge Richard Brooks, Qongqo, charged together with her construction company Ogiyonke, sported a new haircut and dressed in black and white.
The case was postponed after it emerged the state prosecutor, advocate Mthuthuzeli Rangula, would be available from May 3 to 7 for the trial.
Qongqo, unlike her former co-accused sister and her ex-boyfriend Alex Notshokovu, pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against her.
She is out on R10,000 bail.
Nyameka was convicted last month after she entered into a plea and sentence agreement with the state and admitted to defrauding the municipality about R9.8 million between 2012 and 2014.
During the time she transferred money to her sister and ex-boyfriend's accounts. She will be back in the dock on March 25 for a pre-sentencing report.
Notshokovu pleaded guilty and turned state witness. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or R50,000 fine.
DispatchLIVE reported in 2015 that over R2.1m was moved from the municipality’s coffers to Ogiyonke Construction which Thumeka was the director.
According to regional National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, a total of R2.1-million was reimbursed to the municipality.
This after a joint operation by the Hawks, Asset Forfeiture Unit that saw assets allegedly bought by the coffers money, including a Golf 7 motorcar and furniture, seized.
DispatchLIVE
OR Tambo municipal accountant pleads guilty to stealing more than R9m
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