Stokvel gets its money back

Embattled ANC Ndlambe councillor Mbuyiseli Yali, accused of stealing R92,000 from a stokvel in Port Alfred, has paid back the money after his party ordered him to do so.

ANC Sarah Baartman regional secretary Johannes Hobbs said the ANC regional executive had ordered Yali to pay the money back after the incident was reported to the committee.

Yali, 37, paid the money on Friday, with the help of council speaker Vivian Mapapu and ANC PR councillor Monica Mateti, who apparently contributed from their own pockets.

However, Ward 7 councillor Yali is not off the hook.

Masakhane stokvel members are refusing to drop the fraud case against him and are demanding outstanding interest on their monthly contributions.

Yali is due to appear before the ANC regional executive on Tuesday.

Hobbs said: “The REC perceives that the matter borders on the integrity and code of conduct of the ANC.

“The ANC shares the plight of people affected and [apologises] to them.”

Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender confirmed that the investigation against Yali was ongoing.

The case was opened by most of the 26 members of the Masakhane stokvel club at the Nelson Mandela township police station in Port Alfred on December 21.

This was after stokvel treasurer Yali said he lost the money in a car accident while coming back from drawing it from the bank on December 15 – the day members were due to get their dividends.

Mapapu said on Monday she had paid R44,777 and Mateti R10 000, while Yali covered the rest from his pocket and also forfeited his share in the stokvel club.

Asked why she had paid the money, Mapapu said: “He is a colleague of mine and a child.

“I am a 63-year-old with four children who might one day find [herself] in a similar situation.

“I was touched because I am a parent and a colleague.”

Yali said: “I don’t want to comment about this, as I said to you before.”

Called for comment, an angry Mateti said all questions should be addressed to Yali.

“It’s Yali who is involved in the stokvel. I won’t talk to you about this.

“Yes, I was present during the repayment, but call Yali.”

Stokvel member Asonge Nyendwana, 49, said Yali’s payment was not enough as the members were expecting R153,000, the total including interest.

Nyendwana said: “We won’t withdraw the case until we get our money in full.” –

‘The REC perceives the matter borders on the integrity and code of conduct of the ANC’ Johannes Hobbs

ANC REGIONAL SECRETARY