The National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has reinstated charges against ANC Amathole
Regional Secretary Thembalethu ‘Teris’ Ntutu, and 17 others, including
businesspeople and their companies, as well as former and current employees of
Mnquma Local Municipality.
Fifteen of the
accused briefly appeared in the Mthatha High Court on Monday, August 15, and
the case was adjourned to September 9, 2022, for case flow management.
The accused,
namely: Theory Mhlangabezi Mbandamana, Big Event Boy (PTY) LTD, Ntutu, Zanele
Patience Mbewu, Regis Masuku, RPS Engineering CC Ilangabi, Luleka Nonyongo,
Lubabalo Majingolo, Amanda Ntamo, Dunyiswa Olga Mrwetyana, Viwe Phindile
Madolo, Sakhumzi Mxiwodumo Madubela, Lusindiso Patric Boya, Kulile Clock,
Primrose Vuyokazi Zameka Ganya, Grase Tasana, and Ivi Sikhulu Nqwena, face
charges of corruption and contravention of Municipal Finance Management Act.
The charges relate
to the irregular awarding of contracts and the gratifications received by some
of the accused persons. The contracts in question are over R24 million Turnkey
electrification project, awarded to RPS Engineering CC/RPS Ilangabi, and the supply
and delivery of cleaning equipment for one year, awarded to Big Event Boy, to
the value of R10 million, by Mnquma Local Municipality.
The case first
appeared on February 16, 2017, and it was postponed numerous times, not at the
instance of the state.
However, the case
was struck off the court roll last year, the state was to reinstate it in April
this year, however, the accused successfully challenged it on a technicality, that
the summons were not properly served on them, as they were signed by the Deputy
Director of Public Prosecutions, instead of the Director of Public
Prosecutions.,
When the case was
re-enrolled today, three accused persons; Masuku, Tasana and Nqwena, were not
present in court and warrants of their arrest were issued but stayed until the
next sitting.
