EASTERN CAPE: Nokwenjenje Matiwane (61) ,Mninawe Notshikila (35),Akhona Nkosazana Mveke (35), Asandiswa Wendy Mbebe –Mxali (44),Siyabulela Government Mxali (46) , Balungile Godfrey Makaula (36) , Zukiswa Nqina- Makaula (37) ,Asiphe Nombanga and Nobantu Makaula (62) appeared in Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 4 July 2023.This is subsequent to the arrest of the accused by Mthatha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks in a joint effort with Serious Corruption Investigation, Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of National Prosecution Authority (NPA) and OR Tambo Public Oder Police (POP) for charges of money laundering ,fraud and theft on 3 July 2023.
It is alleged that during the period between 2016 and 2019, Akhona Mveke and Asandiswa Mbebe – Mxali who were employed as Chief Financial Officers at Ingwe TVET College in Mount Frere and Zukiswa Nqina – Makaula who was employed as Secretary of Corporate Services operated and allegedly connived to defraud the institution of millions. They are reported to have diverted and duplicated payments by substituting banking details of legitimate service providers with their details and those of their own relatives and spouses.
A whistle was blown to the Hawks and investigations ensued. Investigations confirmed the total prejudice of more than R7.8 million to the college hence the arrest of the nine (9) suspects. The suspects made their first court appearance in Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on 4 July 2023 where they were released on R7000 bail each except for Nokwenjenje Matiwane whose personal circumstances were considered by the state .The matter is remanded to 25 July 2023 for further investigation.
The collaborated effort of the law enforcement agents is condoned by the Provincial Head Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya for yielding such fruitful results.