By OBAKENG MAJE
Beleaguered JB Marks mayor, Kgotso Khumalo along with other two accused, are expected to appear at the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
The Director for Municipal Services and Local Economic Development, Cyril Hendry and The Caretaker for Sports Facilities in the municipality, Mohau Shuping are linked to multimillion-rand theft and fraud at the municipality.
It is alleged that the North West University and the Programme for Community Development paid about R5 million into a trust account of an attorney for the use of specific projects by the municipality.
The attorney was then allegedly given instructions to effect various payments, which includes a R208 000 mayoral committee contribution towards the funeral of the late North West MEC for Agriculture, Duma Ndleleni who passed away on 23 November 2018.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, it was later discovered that R200 000 was allegedly paid directly into the account of one of the accused.
“From this amount, R64 218 was allegedly paid to an institution where Khumalo’s relative was a student. It is alleged that false invoices were generated to effect more fictitious payments. Further to this act of criminality, Khumalo allegedly instructed the attorney to make payment to an NGO which did not exist,” Mamothame said.
The trio is facing eight charges of theft and fraud.
Additional reporting: www.iol.co.za
The Guardian 