The investigation into the Umsobomvu youth festival, which is under scrutiny for fraud and money laundering, has been transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where the accused individuals are scheduled to appear next month.
THE FRAUD and money laundering investigation into the Umsobomvu youth festival has been transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where the accused individuals are scheduled to appear next month.
Traffic Events and Entertainment CC was awarded a R1.6 million tender by the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to organise the event in Colesberg in 2016, but the festival never took place.
The former acting head of the department, Ruth Palm, 61, the chief financial officer, Andrian Coleridge, 50, and the chief director of corporate services, Bonakele Jacobs, 55, appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on March 25.
They are facing charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud and money laundering.
Another accused – director Lesego Stephens Mphake and his company Traffic Events and Entertainment CC, were added to the charge sheet this week.
Magistrate Maimane Booi, on March 6, indicated that Traffic Events and Entertainment CC would be charged with money laundering and contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the case was postponed until April 15.
Meanwhile, National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) branch secretary Moses Vorster, who called for the suspension of the two executive managers by March 8, stated that the senior managers were still at work.
