Cheeky’s trial hits snag

The fraud and money laundering trial involving former Eastern Province rugby boss Cheeky Watson and his three co-accused hit a snag after the matter was postponed in the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court yesterday.

Watson, Nadia Gerwel, a former assistant director in Nelson Mandela Bay metro’s finance department, Zeranza director Andrea Wessels and Mandisi Mkasa, a former director of Laphum’ilanga Transport Services, face charges of fraud and money laundering following a lengthy probe into alleged fraudulent activities involving about R12 million. The money was meant for the city’s integrated public transport system (IPTS).

Watson and his co-accused handed themselves over to police in March last year. At the time, Watson said the charges against him were “malicious”.

They appeared in court yesterday with an army of lawyers lining the courtroom.

Watson’s legal team asked for his case to be separated on the basis that he only faced two counts in comparison to the 40 or more counts faced by his co-accused.

Magistrate Lionel Lindoor dismissed the application.

Meanwhile, lawyers representing Mkasa, Wessels and the company, Zeranza, asked for a postponement, claiming there was outstanding documentation.

Lindoor granted them a postponement to October 2.

It is alleged Wessels conspired with Gerwel to defraud the metro in a manner designed to give them unlawful access to IPTS funds.

According to court papers, close to R3 million was allegedly laundered into various bank accounts. – ANA