• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home South Africa

NPA formally charged the former head of the North West Transport Department, Bailey Mahlakoleng

Mahlakoleng is accused of permitting corruption, fraud, and other criminal activity to occur under his supervision.

1 October 2022, 4:12 PM  |
Itumeleng Kgajane Itumeleng Kgajane |  @SABCNews
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) logo

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) logo

Image: NPA

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) logo

In a bid to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, the National Prosecuting Authority has formally charged the former head of the North West Transport Department, Bailey Mahlakoleng, and three others.

The four appeared in court on Friday and were released on bail ranging from 35 000 Rand to 500 000 Rand. Former SA Express commercial manager, Tebogo van Wyk, Nothando Dube and Sipho Phiri are facing schedule 5 charges, relating to alleged corrupt activities and fraud.

It was in 2014, when a contract aimed at resuscitating commercial flights, at the Pilanesberg and Mahikeng Airports was initiated. The contract, valued at 400 Million Rand, was awarded to SA Express. Allegations of fraud, money laundering and corruption then followed.

Millions of rands were allegedly paid although no work was done. Following evidence presented to the Zondo Commission, recommendations were made for criminal charges to be pursued. Lengthy investigations ensued, and now the NPA believes it has a water-tight case.

NPA provincial spokesperson Henry Mamothame claims they have gathered sufficient proof.

“We believe we’ve accumulated reasonable evidence to bring the accused persons and the three companies that they allegedly used to steal this money to court. We believe investigators have done a great job and we confident when we drew the charge sheet and indictment for this matter    to come and stand before court,” he said.

“This is the first phase of this matter, further investigations are conducted and we’re not ruling out the possibility of more people being arrested,”

The accused are faced with 34 counts and more charges might be added. Magistrate Ravana Jacobs explains.

“The matter is postponed to the first day of December, at Mabatho court ,in the morning for the authorization from the NDPP in respect of the racketeering and centralisation application, also possible transfer to the high court,”

Prior to this, the defence was not happy with the bail amounts set for Van Wyk, Dube and Phiri. Their legal representative is Pacha Ngandwe.

“The manner in which the amounts are proposed, pre-supposes from the well-known constitutional rights of the accused person that they should be presumed innocent until proven guilty, it appears the state is of a view, because there is an alleged amount of 51 Million rand involved in this matter, all be it , not having been proven, therefore accused must be punished to buy his liberty, “said Ngandwe.

The accused have been ordered to not influence witnesses, hand over their passports, and contact investigating officers should there be any changes in their residential addresses.

 

Share article
Tags: Commission of Inquiry into NPANPA
Previous Post

Operation Dudula member allegedly shot dead by gangsters in Limpopo

Next Post

Lucky Dube murder described as a mystery

Related Posts

Activist and author Zoleka Mandela.

Zoleka’s passing on eve of Winnie Mandela’s birthday

26 September 2023, 9:56 AM
A view of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tshwane during an oversight visit by  President Cyril Ramaphosa in this image captured on 08 June 2023.

SIU to probe multi-million rand Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works tender

26 September 2023, 8:49 AM
Zoleka Mandela's book 'When Hope Whispers' pictured during her book launch in this image captured on her Instagram page.

South Africans take to social media to convey condolences to the Mandela family

26 September 2023, 7:58 AM
A big tree uprooted by strong damaging winds, next to the bus terminus and fell at the Cape Town Bus station in the CB near the Golden Acre, captured on 25 September 2023.

Several roads closed in the Western Cape amid flooding

26 September 2023, 7:32 AM
[File Image]: William Nicol Drive, during the start of the COVID-19 lockdown.

Expected road closures ahead of William Nicol Drive renaming ceremony

26 September 2023, 7:21 AM
Zoleka Mandela

Zoleka Mandela passes away

26 September 2023, 6:36 AM
Next Post
Reggae music artist, Lucky Phillip Dube.

Lucky Dube murder described as a mystery

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Concern over exclusion of foreign nationals from Road Accident Fund
  • Cashless taxi service launched in Cape Town
  • Visitors planning to visit the Overberg region urged to postpone their trips
  • ANC building up in flames in Port St Johns
  • Western Cape on high alert following severe storm warning
  • High waves and rough water conditions force beach closures in the Western Cape
  • Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to rest in the town he built and nurtured
  • NSPCA files criminal case against Julius Malema for alleged animal cruelty
  • Snow, heavy rainfall expected in parts of KZN: SAWS
  • Cold-front sweeps across SA bringing snow and chilly temperatures
  • Three dead, scores injured in Cape Town bus accident amidst severe weather
  • Significant rainfall helps dam levels in the Nelson Mandela Bay’s drought-stricken areas
  • Severe weather plunges Western Cape into chaos
  • Mbeki warns against private sector replacing government services
  • ‘Sundowns is capable of winning CAF Champions League for second time’

LATEST

Former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a 2024 presidential election campaign event at Sportsman Boats in Summerville, South Carolina, U.S. September 25, 2023.
  • World

Trump opposes US request to limit his comments on election case


A person holds a test tube labelled "Bird Flu" next to eggs.
  • Business

PODCAST | Consumers warned of expected poultry price hike


A supporter of Ghana's presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) holds a party flag as she reacts at party's headquaters in Accra, Ghana December 8, 2016.
  • Africa

Ghana’s former trade minister quits ruling party to run for president


Activist and author Zoleka Mandela.
  • South Africa

Zoleka’s passing on eve of Winnie Mandela’s birthday


A view of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tshwane during an oversight visit by  President Cyril Ramaphosa in this image captured on 08 June 2023.
  • South Africa

SIU to probe multi-million rand Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works tender


Zoleka Mandela's book 'When Hope Whispers' pictured during her book launch in this image captured on her Instagram page.
  • South Africa

South Africans take to social media to convey condolences to the Mandela family


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Operation Dudula member allegedly shot dead by gangsters in Limpopo
Next Lucky Dube murder described as a mystery