Ndebele in court for fraud and corruption

TWITTER was ablaze yesterday as the #Sbundebele became the number 1 trending topic in the country.

Disgruntled South Africans took to social media to voice their anger at the news that former transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele had appeared in the Durban commercial crimes court on charges of fraud and corruption earlier in the day.

Tweets such as “#SbuNdebele will now be in the running to replace #Zuma. That’s how it works in the ANC, doesn’t it? Corruption=Promotion” and “Oh look, another high ranking @MyANC_ member and ex minister in court for #corruption charge. No surprise here,” demonstrated a backlash of fury over the corruption allegations against the political elite.

Musawakhe Ndlovu wrote “OH! Cry the beloved country I can’t deal anymore with everything happening in this country #sbundebele”.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman advocate Luvuyo Mfaku confirmed that Ndebele was released on R10 000 bail.

Mfaku refused to divulge the amount of money at the centre of the allegations as he didn’t want to “compromise the investigation”.

The case against Ndebele was postponed until July 20 when he will join four co-accused in the Pretoria Regional Court.

Mfaku said Ndebele will join former director general of the transport department, George Mahlalela, Zakhele Thwala, Sibusiso Justin Ncube and Tebogo Mphuti. Mfaku would not confirm reports that Ndebele received R10 million in kickbacks.

Ndebele currently holds the position of South Africa’s high commissioner to Australia. – ANA