R50 000 bail for fraud suspect

A ZAMBIAN businessman accused of fraud was released on bail of R50 000 yesterday when he appeared soon after his arrest in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.

Mukelabai Kerry Sishumba appeared before magistrate Sabrina Sonnenberg. Prosecutor Denver Combrink told the court that he and defence attorney Shahied Schreuder agreed to the bail amount.

Sishumba, who faces 35 counts of fraud involving R1 704 891 and one violation of the Refugees Act, was not asked to plead and was warned to appear in court again on September 4.

According to the charge sheet, Sishumba was the sole director of Mosi- Oa- Tunya Engineering Group (MEG). Its main business was described as “electricity, gas, steam and hot water supply”.

However, according to the charge sheet, MEG was not registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. The charge sheet lists seven requirements and six principles to which MEG had to adhere to qualify as a service provider to the Western Cape government.

According to the charge sheet, the allocation of projects to service providers was based on their status as previously disadvantaged individuals and on the department’s preferential procurement implementation plan.

MEG was to render electrical engineering services to the transport and public works departments. Sishumba allegedly falsely indicated that he had the necessary electrical engineering qualifications and that he had a number of qualified electrical engineers in his employ. He allegedly falsely indicated that he was registered and in good standing with the various statutory bodies, as contemplated in the departmental prescripts. – Sapa