Mkolo to ask court to drop Madiba fraud charges

THREE of the 11 Mandela funeral fraud accused – suspended ANC regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo, businesswoman Nosiphiwo Mati and Gauteng-based lawyer Zintle Nkuhlu – want charges against them withdrawn.

The trio, who successfully applied in November for their case to be separated from the rest, yesterday made a brief appearance before East London regional magistrate Sadia Jacobs, who postponed the case to June 28.

They asked for a new postponement so that they, together with their legal team, could prepare a presentation to the court on why prosecution against them should be halted.

The three, through lawyer Nyameko Diniso, yesterday told Jacobs they believed the state had no case against them.

The three were arrested in 2014, together with former BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, her then deputy Temba Tinta, former council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele, ANC councillor Sindiswa Gomba, the metro’s executive support head Ondela Mahlangu and business owners Viwe Vazi and Dean Fanoe.

Suspended BCM chief financial officer Vincent Pillay joined his fellow accused in January.

They are all facing charges relating to the alleged misuse of over R5million from BCM coffers, earmarked for the late statesman’s memorial services and funeral in December 2013.

The other group appeared in court on Monday, with their case postponed to May 25 after Pillay informed the court he wanted to lodge an application for his case to be separated from the rest of his co-accused.

The court gave Pillay until tomorrow to lodge his application to state prosecuting advocate Diniso Ketani for a separation of the trial.

Speaking to the Daily Dispatch from the sidelines of yesterday’s court appearance, Diniso said he believed the state had no watertight case against his clients and that the fraud and corruption charges they are facing should be withdrawn.

“We asked for a postponement because we wanted to consult more with our clients and to prepare a presentation which we will submit to the state prosecutor where we will be giving him reasons as to why our clients should no longer be prosecuted in the matter.

“The presentation will be given to [Ketani] before the next court appearance on June 28, and, when we are in court on the day, we will hear whether our application has been approved or not,” Diniso said. —