More arrests over alleged corruption
Mr Sam Ngubane, the former acting HOD of Cogta, was arrested on corruption charges on Thursday.
NELSPRUIT – After the former acting head of the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) were arrested on charges of corruption, two businessmen were also arrested this morning.
Mr Sam Ngubane, a director in the department, and his wife, Ms Angel Ngobane, appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on the charges late yesterday afternoon. After spending the night in the police holding cells, they reappeared this morning for their bail applications.
Mr Edwin Mkhabela and Mr Cleopas Mahlalela from Takitsi Trading appeared alongside the couple. All four face charges of corruption relating to a tender that was awarded to Takitsi while Ngubane was acting HOD. He filled the position until 2009 after the former Department of Local Government and Housing split into Cogta and the Department of Human Settlements.
The tender was for Takitsi who was awarded a three-year cleaning contract for water provided to people as part of the province’s Water for All project. The prosecution indicated that they intended to argue that the Ngubanes received an apartment worth R1,5 million in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal after the tender was awarded and that they had a generally corrupt relationship.
In their bail applications, all the applicants argued that they had freely given themselves up to the police for arrest, after being requested to do so. The defense of the businessmen also argued that both men needed constant medical monitoring and treatment for their poor health.
The Magistrate Mr Eddie Hall granted Ngubane and his wife bail of R10 000 each, while Mahlalela and Mkhabela were granted bail of R15 000 each. They are to next appear in court on January 20.
