Third Mandela scandal case accused turns state witness

A third accused in the Buffalo City Metro’s Nelson Mandela memorial scandal has turned state witness and will testify against some of his former coaccused.

The metro’s former CFO Vincent Pillay is one of more than 30 witnesses forthe state when the re-enrolled trial resumes.

He joins businessman Mzwandile Sokwali and his wife

Busisiwe Boti, who both turned state witness six years ago.

Sokwali pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering and, with Boti, entered into a plea bargain with the state.

They were fined and sentenced to five years, which was wholly suspended for five years, while Sokwali turned state witness and in his confession implicated some within the group on trial.

The witness list, leaked to the Dispatch, shows that a former provincial premier, directorsgeneral, municipal bosses, former councillors, senior and junior administrators and business people are among those who will join Pillay on the witness list when the state tries to prove its case against the 15 accused people and companies.

Pillay was not in the dock when 11 of his former coaccused, including health MEC Sindiswa Gomba, Dr WB Rubusana region ANC chair Phumlani Mkolo and former BCM mayor and NCOP member Zukiswa Ncitha, appeared in court last Friday.

In the dock with them was former deputy Themba Tinta, former council speaker Luleka Simon-ndzele, administrator

Ondela Mahlangu, former BCM officials Nqaba Ludidi and Themba Sali, and business figures Viwe Vazi and Zintle Nkuhlu.

They were charged with fraud, money laundering, corruption and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, and were each granted bail of R1,000.

Business people Nosiphiwo Mati and Dean Fanoe excused themselves in court and will appear next month.

Pillay was a notable absentee among his former co-accused in the dock. Magistrate Annemarie Elliot told the suspects that for the duration of their trial they should not make contact with state witnesses.

Pillay could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

In December 2017, public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane released a report implicating Pillay after the Dispatch published a series of stories.

She found him to have acted in violation of the provision of the municipal supply chain management regulations and the supply chain management policy of BCM, when the metro forked out R6m for the transportation of mourners.

BCM suspended him and in 2018 an internal disciplinary hearing found him guilty of illegally authorising payment of R10m for the Nelson Mandela’s memorial services in 2013.

He was found guilty on two charges of financial misconduct for his handling of a R10m payment to Victory Ticket, Sokwali’s company, three days before Mandela’s funeral.

While the metro conducted its own investigation, a criminal case of fraud and theft was also before the court.

Pillay successfully applied for his matter to be separated from the rest of his co-accused before turning against them.