ANC man in court for theft and fraud

SENIOR ANC official Pule Mabe and his two co-accused appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria yesterday on charges ranging from theft and money laundering to fraud.

They were arrested and held at Sunnyside police station for allegedly defrauding the South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) of about R2.25 million from the Social Responsibility Fund. The fund assists activities aimed at poverty alleviation and improving lives.

The former ANC Youth League treasurer-general and current member of the ANC’s national executive committee appeared alongside head of communications at Sassa, Paseka Letsatsi and businessman Surprise Kabedi Ramosa, whose company lists “investments in all spheres of the sector” as its nature of business.

Investigations have revealed they allegedly swindled Sassa of money totalling just over R2.25m. The money was paid to companies they had interests in or owned, allegedly without following procedures and using fraudulent means.

Most of the money was then allegedly transferred into two bank accounts belonging to Mabe, 33.

He then paid several people, including family members, and transferred about R681 000 to his own personal account and other amounts to accounts belonging to his co-accused or their companies.

This included R30 000 to his old friend, expelled former ANCYL spokesman Floyd Shivambu, who has joined the EFF.