Feb, 12th 2021 – Police in South Africa have arrested 15 people for alleged corruption relating to the funeral of the former president, Nelson Mandela, in 2013.
Those arrested include the health minister of Eastern Cape province, Sindiswa Gomba, a number of business figures, and other lawmakers from the governing African National Congress. Among them are regional chair Pumlani Mkolo, former Buffalo City metro mayor Zukiswa Ncitha and council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele.
They have not commented on the allegations but will have to appear for the hearing. Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale, “All the accused appeared, except for one who is in quarantine and will appear once healthy enough to do so
Mogale said, “The suspects will be answering to allegations related to the procurement of service providers for the transportation and booking of venues during the memorial service and funeral preparations for the late Nelson Mandela by the Buffalo City metropolitan municipality. This happened between 2013 and 2014.”
The 15, who have been released on bail until next month, are accused of corruption and money-laundering amounting to nearly $700,000.
Prosecutors say they made fraudulent claims for the transportation of mourners and venues used in the city of East London for memorial services for South Africa’s first black president.
The accuseed will appear in the East London magistrate’s court on charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering on Friday. The Eastern Cape provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Maj-Gen Obed Ngwenya, congratulated the investigation team for bringing the perpetrators to justice for squandering resources during a period when the country was mourning the death of an icon.