NPA regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, says the state is ready to prosecute former Mayor, Kgotso Khumalo, as well as his co-accused Cecil Henry and Mohau Shuping. This after the matter between the three and the state was postponed to 7 July 2021 at the Circuit High Court sitting in Ventersdorp to allow all parties to prepare for pre-trial and arguments for issues on the dispute. 

Khumalo, Henry and Shuping face eight charges of theft and fraud following the alleged theft of R5 million meant for specific projects by the municipality. Mamothame adds that the defence is expected to highlight various issues during the pretrial.

"The state is expected to put on record its readiness to proceed with the trial and also highlight issues that are in dispute with the defence representatives," he says.  

It's alleged that the North-West University and the Programme for Community Development paid about R5 million into a trust account of an attorney for the use of specific projects by the municipality.

"The attorney was then given instructions to effect various payments, which includes a R208 000 mayoral committee contribution towards the funeral of the late MEC for Agriculture, Duma Ndleleni, who passed away on 23 November 2018.

"It was, however, discovered that R200 000 was paid directly into the account of one of the accused. From this amount, R64 218 was paid to an institution where Khumalo’s relative was a student. It is alleged that false invoices were generated to effect more fictitious payments. Further to this act of criminality, Khumalo allegedly instructed the attorney to make payments to an NGO which did not exist," Mamothame adds.

The three are out on warning and are prohibited from contacting state witnesses.

OFM News