Picture: Former JB Marks mayor, Kgotso Khumalo arrested by The Hawks
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. taungdailynews@gmail.com
Picture: Democratic Alliance leader and MP, Joe McGluwa/ewn
By OBAKENG MAJE
Democratic Alliance continues to be marred with qualifications scandal. The latest person to be accused of misleading the public over his qualifications is the DA Member of Parliament (MP) Joe McGluwa, who is also the former leader in the North West province.
It is alleged that on 5 April 2019, McGluwa released a media statement titled: “DA North West proudly introduces its candidates for the 2019 Elections” that he had Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration obtained from the University of Witswatersrand while contesting for the premiership position in the province.
However, Taung DailyNews understand that McGluwa has a postgraduate Diploma in Management obtained from the same institution which is contrary to what is written in the statement.
The statement says: “This list of candidates represents the diversity of North West. Our lists are diverse in everysense- race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, skills set, geography, class and the blend between youth and experience.
Our DA North West Premier candidate, Joe McGluwa who is also the provincial leader and a Member of Parliament holds the first position on the list.
Get to know your Premier candidate, Joe McGluwa:
I am Joe McGluwa, married to Nadia and father of two. I am a grandfather. I have been engaged in politics since a very young age, mainly through my father’s involvement and passion for always wanting to help people wherever I can.
My childhood stems from humble beginnings in Alabama, Klerksdorp. I am one of two brothers in a family of five children. My brother also share my passion for politics and is a Member of the Provincial Legislature in the Northern Cape.
My political career started at the age 24 when I became a councilor at Matlosana Municipality in North.
Now I am a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly, Leader of the DA in the North West and the NW Premier Candidate. I now serve a Shadow DA Minister for COGTA.
My tertiary education includes a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the University of Witswatersrand.
McGluwa poured cold water over these allegations and said ‘there is a smear campaign’ against him.
“Yes I do hold a post-graduate diploma in Management from Witwatersrand since 2015. Yes, Wits offers a post-graduate Diploma in Management, therefore, as per your request, I will WhatsApp you a copy of my post-graduate diploma.
“I also hold an Advanced Certificate in Governance and Public leadership for the year 2013. I have also registered the same year for my Masters in Management in the field of governance and Public Leadership of which I have only done/passed my qualitative research methods,” he said.
McGluwa added that due to his deployment to North West as the leader at a time, he was unable to complete his Masters Degree. He further said he takes the allegations that his qualification is questionable in a very serious light.
“There has been a concerted effort lately to make DA leaders academic credentials questionable and it is quite unfortunate. I am also mindful that 2021 is elections year and I am not surprised by these allegations as the same was raise in April 2019, of which I am under the opinion that it was responded to.
“I am not surprise, but politicking must not be done in such a malicious way. Yes, it could have been a sheer mistake but I take full responsibility for it because as the then provincial leader, I approved all statements and would want to admit that it is possible that I have approved the press statement during a very busy election time,” said McGluwa.
Meanwhile, the DA leader in North West, Leon Basson said: “We understand that McGluwa has postgraduate Diploma in Management and we are happy. What is depicted in a media statement might have been a typing error and we would not take him to task regarding that.”
The University of Witswaterand confirmed that they offer Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, but it is not at liberty to divulge the confidential information about individuals unless certain processes were followed.
However, one of the DA leaders who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal said: “Clearly, the qualification that McGluwa stated is false and misleading. He basically misrepresented his qualifications because he cannot claim to have a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration which basically he does not have.
“In terms of the Act, a person is guilty of an offense, if such person falsely or fraudulently claims to be holding a qualification or part qualification registered on the NQF or awarded by an education institution, skills development provider, QC or obtained from a lawfully recognised foreign institution.”
The source said the law states that a person, who is found guilty of such an offense will be liable for a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years, or to both a fine and such imprisonment.
“In addition, if the wrongdoer is an employee, he/she might likely be charged and dismissed for misrepresentation/dishonesty. The government is cracking down on officials with fake qualifications after Parliament passed a bill that will force the state to root out people with such qualifications.
“The National Assembly agreed in the bill that those found with bogus qualifications will be named and shamed. So, there are two possible charges against McGluwa which are misconduct in terms of the SAQA Act by misrepresenting or lying about his academic qualifications on his Curriculum Vitae submitted to Parliament and knowingly making false statements in an affidavit concerning the said qualifications in contravention of the Justices of Peace and Commissioners of Oath Act.”
Source alleged that it was expected for the party leadership to take no actions against McGluwa because they targeting only black people.
The DA has recently suspended the Western Cape MEC for Transport, Bonginkosi Madikizela after revelations that he’s been misleading the public about the status of his academic qualifications. It is alleged that Madikizela claimed that he had completed his BCom Degree, while he did not.
Primier of Free State Ace Magashule addressing the press conference after he had the State of the Province address. SIMPHIWE NKWALI/16/02/2012
(Picture Courtesy of Sowetanlive): ANC’s Secretary-General, Ace Magashule
By STAFF REPORTER
ANC’s Top six leadership is expected to engage in an ‘emergency’ meeting to discuss the arrest warrant against its secretary-general, Ace Magashule. The warrant of arrest that was issued on Tuesday by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Unit, The Hawks, links the former Free State Premier to the whopping R255 million illegal asbestos housing project in the province.
However, ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe did not confirm if indeed the ANC’s top six leaders will meet to discuss Magashule’s warrant of arrest. He said the ANC learned through media reports of the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Magashule.
“This afternoon, Secretary-General advised the movement that he will be in consultation with his legal team to best respond to the latest developments and to guide any response on the matter.
“The Secretary-General previously spoke about his imminent arrest and had requested his legal team to establish the validity of such an arrest with the relevant authorities. The Secretary-General stated on more than one occasion, including through his legal team, that he would cooperate with any process undertaken by law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Mabe added that the ANC will be monitoring these developments closely and will accordingly, communicate on any update should the need arise.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance in Free State welcomed the move. Free State Provincial Legislature MPL, Leona Kleynhans said: “This is in relation to the illegal Free State asbestos housing contracts in which the Department of Human Settlements was used as a vehicle to launder R255 million from the government into the pockets of various cronies.
“The matter started when the DA obtained the contract itself and documents related to the contract in May 2015. In July 2015, we approached the High Court in Bloemfontein for an urgent interdict to stop payments, because we were convinced that the contract had been established with the sole purpose of laundering money.”
Kleynhans further said in May 2020, they lodged a criminal case with the Hawks in Bloemfontein against the former MEC Olly Mlamleli, who had been the second respondent in our 2015 case, as well as against Magashule for his dealings in the matter.
She said Mlamleli had been seated in the courtroom when the urgency of their application had been discussed.
“Our case was in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, which makes a person in a position of authority, equally guilty if he is aware of a crime taking place and does not act to prevent it. Mlamleli was arrested and has appeared in court, with her trial set to continue in Bloemfontein tomorrow.
“Our complaint against Magashule, stemmed from the fact that at the time of our 2015 court case, the state legal advisor Mr Bertus Venter, had been seated in the office of the Premier, and that this office had been tasked with launching a legal defence on behalf of the MEC which the Premier had appointed,” said Kleynhans.
She said it was impossible that Magashule could not reasonably have known that his MEC had been dragged to court by the Official Opposition in the Free State Legislature. Kleynhans said they are happy that at last, the man who has allegedly been plundering the province and impoverishing its citizens since 1994 will face justice.
A 52-years-old man briefly appeared at the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court for fraud on Friday. Francois Jacobus Delport (52) was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Wednesday for alleged fraud.
According to the Hawks’ spokesperson in the North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso, Delport who is employed by the Maquassi Hills Municipality as a Technician allegedly approached a client who’s municipal account was in arrears of approximately R1 million and offered to cancel the debt in exchange for a payment of R112 000.
“The matter was reported to the Hawks and the suspect was arrested during an operation after he was found in possession of the R112 000 which was paid to him by the client.
“He was granted a R3000 bail and the case was postponed until 1 December 2020 for further investigations,” Rikhotso said.
Picture: The Hawks arrest the Maquassi Hills Local Municipality employee
By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The 52-years-old suspect was arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Wednesday for alleged fraud. The Hawks’ spokesperson in the North West, Capt Tlangelani Rikhotso said the suspect who is employed by the Maquassi Hills Municipality as a Technician allegedly approached a client who’s municipal account was in arrears of approximately R1 million and offered to cancel the debt in exchange for a payment of R112 000.
“Then the matter was reported to the Hawks and the suspect was arrested during an operation after he was found in possession of the R112 000 which was paid to him by the client,” Rikhotso said.
She said the suspect will appear at the Wolmaranstad Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Picture: The Hawks Provincial spokesperson, Capt Hlangelani Rikhotso
By REGINALD KANYANE
North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo will address the media at 1pm at Ga-Rona Building in Mahikeng on Thursday after The Hawks raided his office.
The Hawks Provincial spokesperson, Captain Tlangelani Rikhotso said they have acquired a ‘search warrant’ and they are investigating a case of fraud and corruption.
“We are currently conducting a search for valuable documents at the North West Premier’s office. We have already searched few offices and we are currently busy.
“However, I am not at liberty to tell you what the search is in connection with because that will jeopardize our investigations. The Hawks will release a comprehensive statement later after we are done,” Rikhotso said.
It is alleged that The Hawks are raiding Mahumapelo’s office after Standing Committee of Public Accounts (SCOPA) opened a criminal case against Mahumapelo’s office.
Mahumapelo’office appeared before Scopa on Tuesday. The committee questioned his office after it is alleged that it paid NEPO close to R215m.
NEPO IT Dynamic Solutions was hired by the Premier’s office to provide Information Communication Technology (ICT) services on their behalf.
There are also more than 111 projects that were done, but cannot be accounted for. However, Director-General, Dr Keneilwe Sebego said they will respond in writing regarding that.
The Guardian 