R510k alleged kickbacks at centre of Knysna corruption case

KNYSNA NEWS - The charge sheet the State brought before the court in connection with former Knysna mayor Thando Matika, former acting municipal manager (MM) Boy Ngubo and former acting CFO Busisiwe Lubelwana indicates that about R510 000 was allegedly solicited from a service provider.

While the accused appeared in court showing little outward sign of being perturbed by their arrests, they will spend another week behind bars before their formal bail applications are heard.

They made their first appearance on Monday 5 October, following their arrests by the Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on Thursday 1 October. They face charges of alleged corruption, money laundering and extortion.

Alleged kickbacks

According to the police, the arrests form part of an investigation into alleged corruption involving a municipal security services contract.

The police believe that the businessman who was awarded the contract was solicited for kickbacks to ensure its continuation, and had already paid hundreds of thousands of rand after allegedly being threatened with the tender's cancellation.

The charge sheet indicates about R510 000 was allegedly demanded; however, Matika faces an additional corruption charge.

Defence challenges postponement

Matika's attorney, Hardy Wills of Boqwana Burns Inc, argued that the allegations stem from an SIU investigation dating back more than three years, and questioned why the State still needed additional time to prepare. He told the court Matika had not been questioned or investigated since his arrest, and he opposed the State's request for a further seven-day postponement. He asked the court to postpone the matter only until today, Thursday 8 October.

The State argued that the investigation remained at a sensitive and crucial stage, with daily developments, and that additional time was needed to verify information relevant to the bail proceedings.

Defence attorney Carl Jeppe, representing Ngubo, and Adv Julie Seton, representing Lubelwana on behalf of Daan Dercksen Attorneys, did not oppose the State's request.

The accused were remanded in custody and the matter was postponed to Monday 12 October for their formal bail applications.

Questions over killings

Wills also questioned Matika's arrest in light of the separate investigations into the recent killings of former Knysna mayor Aubrey Tsengwa, Mandla Matiwane and Mandla Tyololo. He questioned why the PKTT had arrested Matika on corruption-related charges rather than in connection with the killings. He did not suggest that Matika had been charged in relation to the killings.

The National Prosecuting Authority's regional spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said questions about the killings and possible links to arrests should be directed to the police. Wills told the court that Matika had been at an undisclosed safe house before the PKTT members took him to the Knysna Municipal Council chambers, where the three were subsequently arrested.

Municipality responds

The municipality said the State requested the postponement to verify information relevant to the bail proceedings. "As the matter is currently before the court, the municipality will not comment further on the allegations or the merits of the case," it said.

The municipality said it respects the judicial process, and emphasised that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the law.

The three remain in custody pending their formal bail applications on 12 October.

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