Corruption charges against former MEC withdrawn

CHARGES of corruption and money laundering have been withdrawn in the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court against former social development MEC Neo Moerane.

She was charged with her ex-husband, former agriculture MEC Max Mamase, for allegedly receiving kickbacks in a controversial land deal Mamase pushed through in 2005.

The withdrawal of charges, confirmed by her attorney, Mathew Moodley, effectively signals the end of efforts to hold anyone accountable for the dodgy R15.6million Kangela land deal near Addo.

Moodley said he had written to prosecutors, stating there was little prospect of a successful prosecution against Moerane, given the length of time that had elapsed, the evidence of only one witness who had presented three different versions under oath, and that the state could now not trace the witness.

Mamase faced charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act for his role in setting up the alleged land scam with Cape Town businessman Norman Benjamin.

Benjamin later died and the case against Mamase folded earlier this year after he was declared to be mentally incapacitated.

Moerane was alleged to have received R360 000 from either Benjamin or his accountant, Emiliya Peneva, which went towards buying a house in East London.

Prosecutor Jacques Cilliers has previously told the court of difficulties in tracing Peneva, who emigrated to Australia some years ago and has not been in touch with investigators since then. She was regarded as a key witness against Moerane.