Lawyer granted R80k bail, told to surrender passport

Controversial attorney Zuko Nonxuba was granted R80,000 bail at the Mthatha magistrate’s court on Thursday following his arrest on charges of fraud amounting to R30m.

The Hawks swooped on Wednesday evening in Mthatha, arresting him for allegedly “faking” medical negligence claims dating back to 2013 and 2016.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Anelisa Feni said Nonxuba allegedly submitted false claims to the department of health in which he accused nurses of being negligent towards two women giving birth in Mthatha and Ngcobo hospitals.

Feni said Nonxuba was arrested by the serious commercial crimes investigation unit. “It is alleged he claimed R15m for each case between 2013 and 2016... We are not ruling out the possibility that other cases will crop up.”

Feni said upon receiving the information, the Hawks commenced with the investigation and managed to prevent the payments on both claims.

“It was discovered that even the information in these claims was fraudulent, so there was never a payout,” Feni said.

During his appearance, which lasted less than 30 minutes, Nonxuba, 47, wearing dark grey formal trousers, a light grey jersey and a navy Tshirt, appeared calm.

Magistrate Bhekisa Mbonjeni granted him the bail on condition that he handed in his passport by next Friday.

In his bail application statement read in court by his advocate, Apla Bodlani, Nonxuba said he could afford R80,000.

“I have no previous convictions,” Bodlani said, quoting his client.

He said he would not evade trial. “I will plead not guilty [to the charge laid against me]. I will not intimidate witnesses,” stated his advocate.

State prosecutor advocate Mthuthuzeli Rangule concurred with Nonxuba, saying: “It is in the interest of justice that bail be granted as requested.”

Nonxuba will be back in court on March 25 where the case will be transferred to a regional court.