NELSPRUIT – The former acting head of the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) is set begin his trial on charges of corruption on August 18.
Mr Sam Ngubane, a director in the department, was arrested on charges of corruption along with his wife, Ms Angel Ngobane on October 24. The following day, two businessmen were also arrested in connection with the alleged crime.
The couple spent a night in the police’s holding cells before being granted bail of R10 000 each by Magistrate Mr Eddie Hall.
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. Ngubane 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.
Mahlalela and Mkhabela are out on bail of R15 000 each. The trial date was set today as August 18-19.
