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Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba.
- An unsuspecting MEC of Health in the Eastern Cape, Sindiswa Gomba, says she will not be found guilty of any crime in her court case.
- This comes as the Hawks said the case was heading to Superior Court due to strong evidence and the seriousness of the crime.
- Sindiswa Gomba was fired last month by Eastern Cape Prime Minister Oscar Mabuyane.
“I am not at all concerned about this case because I know the truth. There is nothing that can be found against my name.”
Axed MEC of Health in Eastern Cape Sindiswa Gomba made the comment outside East London Regional Court on Friday, where he briefly appeared on charges related to the R10 million fraud and corruption case involving the funeral of the late former President Nelson Mandela.
Gomba is one of 15 defendants, including three companies, facing a series of charges related to embezzlement of funds earmarked for Mandela’s funeral and memorial service in December 2013.
The group is accused of misleading the Buffalo City Metro township into believing it had an obligation to make money available for the late president’s funeral.
According to the charge sheet, once the R10 million was authorized, the suspects acted with a common purpose of defrauding and manipulating municipal procurement processes through illegal diversions.
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They then allegedly manipulated the situation so that the funds could be used for other purposes, rather than what they were officially approved for.
The charges include fraud, corruption, money laundering and violation of the Municipal Finance Management Law.
Axed Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba (right) in conversation with co-defendant Zukiswa Ncitha, former mayor of Buffalo City Metro, and his attorney, attorney Michael Maseti. (Photo: Malibongwe Dayimani / News24)
On Friday, the defendant appeared in the dock of the East London Regional Court, where Justice Annemarie Elliot postponed the case until May 11.
READ | Sindiswa Gomba Fired as Eastern Cape Health MEC Amid Nelson Mandela Funeral Fraud Case
The court heard that the case will move to East London High Court that day.
The defendants are currently out on bail of R1,000 each and the State has indicated that it has lined up 33 witnesses, including senior government officials.
Among the defendants are the ANC’s regional heavyweights, including the ANC’s regional chairman in the Buffalo City region, Phumlani Mkolo, former Buffalo City Metro council chairperson Luleka Simon-Ndzele, the former Mayor Zukisa Ncitha and her former Vice President Themba Tinta.
The rest of the accused are Tembelani Prideaux Sali, Ondela Vatile Mahlangu, Viwe Vazi, Zintle Nkuhlu and Nqaba Ludidi.
Nosiphiwo Mati and Dean William Fanoe made their first appearance, after failing to appear in court on February 12 due to health problems.
READ ALSO | Mabuyane after firing Gomba: ‘I want to preside over a clean government’
The 12 are charged along with the respective companies of Vazi, Mati and Fanoe, Forty Wings Lodge CC, Mpidos Emergence and Training CC and Mantella Trading 522 CC.
Gomba’s comment out of court comes as the Hawks told the media that their case was strong and that they were confident the judge would rule in their favor.
The Hawks’ national spokesman, Col. Katlego Morale, said the robustness of his investigation and the seriousness of the crime has led to the decision to refer the case to Superior Court.
“If we weren’t so confident, we wouldn’t take him to Superior Court. The decision to take him to Superior Court is not just for the Hawks but also for the prosecution team. It is based in part on the amount of work that has gone into the investigation as well as the amount of money that was wasted, ”Morale said.
Gomba was fired as a Health MEC by Eastern Cape Prime Minister Oscar Mabuyane last month, saying he was giving him time and space to focus on his court case.
The matter was postponed until May 11 and will now be provisionally transferred to the Superior Court for consultation on the merits, the handling of pre-trial matters and the possible determination of a trial date.
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