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By STAFF REPORTER
A fraud and theft pre-trial case against the former JB Marks Local Municipality mayor, Kgotso Khumalo and two other employees is set for 20 August 2021. Khumalo together with Cecil Henry and Mohau Shuping are charged with defrauding R5 million meant for the municipality.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, the funds were allegedly expected to be used for municipal specific project.

“Khumalo together with Henry and Shuping, are facing eight charges of theft and fraud from the municipality funds. It is alleged that the North West University (NWU) 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 given instructions to effect various payments, which includes a R208 000 mayoral committee contribution towards the funeral of the former North West MEC for Agriculture, the late Duma Ndleleni who passed away on 23 November 2018,” Mamothame said.

He further said it was however, discovered that R200 000 was paid directly into the account of one of the accused. Mamothame added that R64 218 was 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.

“The Potchefstroom Regional Court has set a pre-trial date court president has also appointed the magistrate who will preside over this case. So, the state is ready to proceed with trial and hopes it would be concluded within a reasonable period,” said Mamothame.

He said the trio will remain out on a warning and are prohibited from contacting state witnesses.
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