A NGWELEZANE man was found guilty for defrauding the Zululand District Municipality (ZDM) of more than R3-million.
Nkosiyapha Mngadi (33) took to the stand last week in the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court, facing three charges of fraud and theft relating to the cashing of ZDM cheques in 2012.
Following his conviction, Mngadi’s bail was revoked and he is to remain in custody until his sentencing, which has been remanded to 30 April.
‘We are delighted that the kingpin behind the theft of ZDM funds has been found guilty. We call on the court to impose a hefty sentence as a warning to other would-be-thieves to play their games far away from our municipality,’ said ZDM Mayor Zanele kaMagwaza-Msibi.
‘When the municipality discovered the theft, we did not ‘sweep it under the carpet’ as most municipalities do. Instead we appointed private investigators and reported the matter to the Hawks, as well as the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).
‘Fraud and corruption will never be tolerated, no matter where it comes from. We will always crush it before it tarnishes the good image of our municipality,’ said kaMagwasa-Msibi.
