Tebogo Msimanga |
Ronny Germany Ngwenyama (44) and Tinyiko Shadrack Golele (44) appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrates’ court on Wednesday for fraud, theft and money laundering of over R4.5 million.
It is alleged that in September 2018, the accused who was employed by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform at Mpumalanga Provincial Government as project manager, but now employed in Polokwane at the Department of Agriculture, colluded with Mr Ngwenyama, the sole director of Frugasmart CC company over the land claim of Brown community, Makhatini community and Tlharesamadi community.
Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi of Mpumalanga Hawks said it is further alleged that the communities submitted applications for the land claim and it was approved by the minister but instead of the communities being informed about the approval, Golele colluded with Ngwenyama to submit fraudulent invoices on behalf of the communities as if he rendered services for them, whereas the services were never rendered.
“After submission of invoices, the department paid Frugasmart CC causing an actual loss of R 4.5 million. Upon receiving the said money, it was allegedly shared between Ngwenyama and Golele and they further distributed it to their families who are yet to be arrested.”
The accused were released on R5000 bail each and the case is postponed to 4 February 2022 for tracing of outstanding accused and instructions. The investigation is continuing.
