PSL General Manager and former FIFA referee Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo and his wife, Salomie Twaise Ncobo, made an appearance at the Bellville Commercial Crimes Court today, 29 September.
The couple is facing three counts of fraud and money laundering relating to a R15m donation for school construction projects in the Eastern Cape.
According to a statement issued by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the State alleges that Ncobo and his wife embarked on a scheme to obtain monies from Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (PetroSA) in a fraudulent manner in favour of themselves, their family members, and/or entities in which they had a vested interest.
The statement explained, “PetroSA ran a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, which was responsible for administering and granting of monetary donations to needy and disadvantaged schools, institutions, or disaster management programmes. During 2008, Gangatha Junior Secondary School, Eastern Cape, applied for a donation to build new classrooms with equipment and furniture, an administration block with equipment and furniture, ablution facilities, a science laboratory with equipment and furniture, a computer laboratory with equipment and furniture, develop the sports field and erect a security fence. PetroSA entered into an agreement to donate R13m to rebuild the school. A King’s Gangatha Building Trust, unregistered, was established to facilitate the funding and rebuilding of the school.”
The statement added: “Ncobo oversaw and managed the construction which started in November 2008 and was completed in September 2009. The school never authorised him to act as its representative or appointed as a project manager to oversee and manage the construction.”
According to the statement, PetroSA appointed quantity surveyors to assess the value of the services rendered when allegations of irregularities and fraud within the CSI department surfaced. “The inspection revealed that products used and the services rendered were of inferior quality and did not correspond with the amount of the donations made. The costs amounted to R5.9m inclusive of 14% Value Added Tax (VAT). It was established that it would cost PetroSA a further R398,363 inclusive of 14% VAT to remedy the defects.”
“The State further alleges that Ncobo made several misrepresentations to PetroSA when the King’s Gangatha Building Trust and other supporting documentation were submitted to their offices to substantiate the application and approval for the donation.
The statement further revealed that in another project, Nqadu Pre-Grade R School approached PetroSA for a donation to build a new pre-school during 2008, with Ncobo’s wife, Salomie, as the contact person. “The application was finalised, and Ncobo’s wife was the contact person. PetroSA approved the request and paid R485,450 into the Great Kei bank account,” the statement explained.
“The first accused informed the school principal that he was building the pre-school with his own money. He oversaw the construction, but no furniture or educational equipment was delivered to the school. The Board members appearing on the documentation submitted to PetroSA during the application for funding denied being Board members and disputed signatures purported to be theirs.
The statement further revealed, “The money laundering charge relates to R15.19m being distributed to bank accounts of Gangatha Projects, Eseswe Projects, Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute, Aldrin Andile Baldwin Development ILE PR. Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) records reveal that Gangatha Projects was not a registered entity. Ace Ncobo Development ILE Projects Close Corporation was registered and the accused had a 100% interest in it. Eseswe Projects and Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute were not registered entities.”
Their case has been postponed until 04 Feb 2026 for the handover of the docket contents and a copy of the charge sheet to their legal representatives and for their attorneys to consult with their clients. Their bail has been extended.
