Ex-council treasurer faces arrest
THE Minister of Energy and Power Development, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, has consoled the family of the late Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Lutho Tapela on the death of their daughter-in-law who passed on two weeks ago in South Africa.
Valerie Tapela was married to the late Senator Tapela’s son, Mr Taluka Jenkins Tapela “TJ” and based in South Africa where she passed on on 12 August after an illness. She was buried in Plumtree last week. Amb Moyo in his condolence message urged the family to be strong as it was the will of God.
“We have been shocked to learn of the untimely demise of your dear wife Valerie, a few days ago in South Africa. Such a tragedy is obviously unbearable and difficult to accept and comprehend. It’s too much a burden for you to shoulder. The Bible teaches us that ‘He giveth and He taketh’. We have to accept this painful reality in full knowledge that she has been promoted to higher glory. Your loss is ours together. We mourn and grieve together. We pray that the Almighty gives you enough strength and staying power. May her soul anchor and rest in eternal peace. Glory be to God,” said Amb Moyo who is also the Acting Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.
The deceased Mrs Tapela’s brother-in-law, Mr Roy Tapela said her sister-in-law was a person who fought for equality in society and the work place.
“Her life in Cape Town has been a beautiful adventure that shaped the rest of her academic studies and interesting professional life. She co-founded a consulting company The Brilliance With, where she advocated for the black professionals in the city. She also worked with Lockstep and Accelerate Cape Town. She furthered her studies at the University of Stellenbosch where she completed her Masters Degree in Psychology and Leadership, the two disciplines she has always been passionate about,” he said.
The late Mrs Tapela is survived by her husband TJ and four sons.
@richardmuponde. FORMER Plumtree Town Council treasurer, Mr Joshua Nkomo faces arrest for allegedly abusing his office by withdrawing over $1 000 from the local authority which he used for over 10 months without benefiting the council.
He was recently acquitted of allegedly swindling the town council of $16 195 during his term of office spanning six years.
Nkomo (52) who used to run the now defunct Kondabayakhe Sports Bar in the border town, resigned in 2016 after residents accused him of embezzling council funds and demanded his suspension.
The residents had accused the council administration of overlooking Nkomo’s offence.
Nkomo pleaded not guilty during his trial, which started last year before the then Plumtree resident magistrate, Mr Taurai Manwere.
Mr Manwere acquitted him two months ago for lack of incriminating evidence and Nkomo was left heaving a sign of relief.
However, the joy could be short-lived as the Plumtree Combined Residents’ Association (PCRADA) is pressuring the local authority to make a fresh police report against Mr Nkomo.
In a letter written to the council by the association secretary, Mrs Thobekile Nleya on 23 July they agreed with some councillors to have Mr Nkomo reported to the police.
“PCRADA and Plumtree Town Council have met on the 17 /07/18 over the issue of a receipt no 17091 which contained $1 333,00. This amount was in the hands of a former council treasurer (Mr Nkomo) not benefiting the council for more than 10 months. The parties resolved that the court case be resumed and the proper evidence be submitted to police for investigations. The councillors were given three to five days from the date of the meeting to report or resume the court case. The councillors present were council chairperson, Clr P Hobane, the finance chairperson Clr C Nyathi and the chairperson of the audit team Clr J Tshuma. These were key persons to the case and we believed they were responsible for the representatives of council,” read the letter gleaned by Sunday News.
However, the matter was not reported as anticipated forcing the residents’ association to issue an ultimatum to the town fathers which was received by the Plumtree Town Registrar, a P Ncube on 24 July.
PCRADA chairperson, Mr Richard Khumalo, confirmed the new development and said they wanted Mr Nkomo to be arrested for abusing public funds.
“There was an anomaly in the way the whole case was handled by council leading in his acquittal in some of the charges. This case we are fighting has full evidence and we are sure that he will be convicted. If the council fails to do so we will be left without any other option except to approach the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for redress,” said Mr Khumalo.
@richardmuponde