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Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba.
- The Eastern Cape ANC PWC will meet soon to discuss the appearance of five of them and other defendants in a R10 million fraud case.
- The State alleges that Buffalo City Metro officials acted with the common purpose of defrauding and manipulating municipal contracting processes through illegal diversions.
- It is alleged that they manipulated the situation so that the funds could be used for other which is why they were officially approved.
The Eastern Cape ANC Provincial Working Committee will meet soon to discuss and make a decision after five of its heavyweights, including Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba and PEC member and regional president Phumlani Mkolo, appeared in court on Friday. in connection with the funeral of former President Nelson Mandela of R10 million fraud.
Gomba, Mkolo, former Buffalo City Metro Mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, former Deputy Mayor Themba Tinta, former BCM Council Chairman Luleka Simon-Ndzele and six others were released on R1,000 bail by the regional court from East London on Friday.
They are part of 15 defendants facing charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and violation of the Municipal Financial Management Law.
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On Friday, 11 of the 15 defendants were on the witness stand before Magistrate Annemarie Elliot.
The court heard that other defendants will be added later.
In a statement on Friday, the ANC in the Eastern Cape said it wished the National Tax Authority (NPA) and the justice system to deal with the case this time as quickly as possible given that justice delayed is justice denied.
“We take these developments very seriously, therefore the ANC Provincial Work Committee (PWC) will meet soon and deliberate on the matter and then a decision will be communicated to the public. Our approach will be based on the ongoing processes and outcomes of the 54th ANC National Conference, on the renewal of the ANC and the fight against corruption and fraud. “
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The case was postponed until March 5 so that copies of the file would be delivered to the defense team and four pending defendants could be added.
It is alleged that BCM officials acted with a common purpose to defraud and manipulate municipal contracting processes through illegal diversions.
The plan was, first, to trick the BCM board into agreeing that BCM was expected to provide funds for the transportation of mourners to various locations where memorial services would be held, the charge sheet said.
Then, manipulate the situation so that the funds could be used for purposes other than those that were officially approved, according to the charge sheet.
