The Former Eastern Cape
Health member of the Executive Council, Sindiswa Gomba and her co-accused made
their first appearance in the East London High Court yesterday.
Hawks
Spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, confirmed that this is subsequent to
several postponements in the East London Regional Court after their
apprehension by the East London-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation
Team of the Hawks on February 12, 2021. They were apprehended on charges of fraud, money laundering,
contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and corruption.
“The accused would be
answering to the charges related to the procurement of service providers for
the transportation and booking of venue during the memorial service and funeral
preparations of the late Dr Nelson Mandela by the Buffalo City Metropolitan
Municipality ,” said Mgolodela.
She added that this happened
in 2013 and 2014. The fraudulent claims add up to R10 Million.
Mgolodela confirmed that
yesterday was their first high court appearance. The matter was postponed to
January 19, 2022 for plea proceedings.
