Four in court for fraud

FORMER Eastern Cape rugby boss Cheeky Watson was one of four people were arrested for corruption and money laundering at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality in Port Elizabeth, the Hawks said yesterday.

Nadia Gerwel, Cheeky Watson, Mandisi Mkaza and Joeleen Andrea Wessels face charges of corruption and money laundering.

They appeared in the PE Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Hawks spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said: “The Hawks are investigating corrupt activities around the R208 million which the National Treasury had approved in 2007 for the improvement of the Integrated Public Transport System at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Initial investigations have revealed that the four suspects have diverted an amount of R12m and used it for personal gain.”

The four suspects were released on R2 000 bail each and surrendered their passports.

However, a fifth suspect didn’t appear in court as he was not in town, but is set to join them in court on May 3.

National Head of the Hawks Lieutenant-General Mthandazo Ntlemeza warned public servants against using public funds for their own personal gain and ignoring their responsibilities.

“The claws of the Hawks are all out for all those who continue to rob innocent citizens of their deserved basic services and their days of enriching themselves with government money are over.

The Hawks have declared war against corruption in municipalities all over the country and whosoever is involved in illegal activities rather stop now or risk feeling the sting of the Hawks,” Ntlemeza said. – ANA