Central SA
#VBSMutualBank: Case against former North West municipal manager back in motion─── LUCKY NKUYANE 13:24 Wed, 27 Jul 2022
The criminal case against a former Municipal Manager at a North West municipality, linked to the controversial and defunct VBS Mutual Bank investment saga, is back in motion and could soon be moved to the High Court.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, the indictment has been prepared to move the case against Thabo Mokoena to the High Court for trial.
The 61-year-old, charged with contravening municipal legislation involving over R92 million with the defunct bank, is set to make representations to the state for the state to decide if the case should be moved. Mokoena also allegedly received gratification in the form of credit facilities to purchase two expensive vehicles and a house in Klerksdorp, cumulatively amounting to more than R1,2 million.
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Mokoena is the former Mahikeng Local Municipality’s Municipal Manager (MM) and is set to re-appear at the Molopo Regional Court on 6 September 2022, for representations.
“The defence attorney committed to submit written representations to the state within a week for consideration. Representing the State from the North Gauteng Division, Advocate Salome Veenemans will respond to the representations when the matter appears in September 2022.
“Mokoena’s court appearance is related to charges of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), as well as the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA). These charges are linked to over R92 million that the municipality invested in VBS Mutual Bank, from August until December 2017, under his leadership as the accounting officer of the municipality,” Mamothame adds.
Preliminary investigations by the Hawks allegedly revealed that of the R92 million that was irregularly invested with VBS Mutual Bank, only R7 million was paid back to the Mahikeng Local Municipality.
Investigations into the matter have been concluded, and the defence attorney was provided with all contents of the docket electronically in December 2021 and other additional disclosures were provided to prepare for trial. Owing to the seriousness of the charges, an indictment has been prepared to move the case to the High Court for trial, pending the completion of all preliminary issues, including the outcome of the representations.
The court extended Mokoena’s R50 000 bail until his next court appearance. He has surrendered his passport and is prohibited from interfering with state witnesses,” Mamothame further adds.
