Limpopo couple seeks bail in Covid-19 fraud case

Hubby, wife accused of stealing relief funds

A Limpopo couple who allegedly defrauded former employees over R3m of their Covid-19 temporary relief funds have asked to be released on bail because they both suffer from chronic diseases.

DorrisMashimbye, 47, and her husband Masenyani Khosa, 75, appeared in the Malamulele magistrate ’ s court yesterday for fraud after allegedly stealing R3.2m meant for 242 former workers.

The pair ’ s lawyer Cedric Baloyi told the court that they needed to be released on bail because they suffered from different chronic illnesses.

“In their sworn statement to the court, Mashimbye indicated that she is suffering from sugar diabetes and she has three children who are still in school. Khosa also indicated that he is suffering fromhigh blood pressure and sugar diabetes hence we submit that they should be released to be able to take their medication at home,” he said.

Baloyi said Khosa was a senior traditional healer and he sometimes took traditional herbs to treat his ailments.

State prosecutor Patrick Nkuna dismissed claims that the two were ill.

There is no evidence forwarded to this court to substantiate claims that the accused are ill. It is only written in their affidavits with no medical certificates,” Nkuna said.

Baloyi said: “When you compare VBS scandal and the charge the accused are facing involving R3.2m, you would realise it s just a drop in the ocean. But those involved in the looting of VBS were granted bail, and we call on the law to be consistent. In his sworn affidavit, Khosa said he wasmarried to 24 wives with 93 children and 39 of those were still under his care.

Khosa said he owned several properties, including farms, two taverns, restaurant, guest house and six houses around Giyani and Malamulele, and said no-one was looking after his businesses.

It will be unfair to keep them in police custody again because the two have businesses to look after. The two can only afford R4,000 bail each,” Baloyi said.

Baloyi said Khosa and Mashimbye intended to plead not guilty.

The case was postponed to Monday for bail judgment