Latest news with #CoalSupplyAgreement
The Citizen
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Court denies plea to pardon state capture accused
They face 11 charges including fraud, money laundering, forgery, uttering and perjury. Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender and Joel Raphela appearing before the Randburg Magistrate's Court after they were arrested on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied An application by the lawyers of high-profile individuals seeking pardons on state capture allegations has been dismissed. Former deputy director-general of the then department of mineral resources Joel Raphela, as well as Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender and entities linked to the Gupta family – Optimum Coal Mine, Koornfontein Mines and Tegeta Exploration and Resources appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday. Charges They face 11 charges including fraud and contravention of Regulation 4 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, money laundering, forgery, uttering and perjury. Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) Henry Mamothame said all the individuals are linked to a corruption case involving mine rehabilitation. 'The court also ruled in favour of IDAC's granting leave to amend the indictment on certain charges against the accused. 'This development follows the closure of the state's case. The defence's application was brought thereafter. The matter has been postponed to 25 May, 2026 and is set down until 12 June, 2026, during which period the defence is expected to call its witnesses,' Mamothame said. ALSO READ: Gauteng businessman jailed for R66 million Transnet fraud Fraud Mamothame said all the accused have pleaded not guilty to all charges. Their court appearance stemmed from the alleged fraud associated with the rehabilitation of the Koornfontein mine. Ragavan was then the director and Govender was a trustee. In December 2015, Oakbay Investments entered into a sale of shares and claims agreement with Glencore for the acquisition of shares in Optimum and Koornfontein mines. Sale agreement The agreement was for Tegeta to take control of the Optimum Mine Rehabilitation Trust and the Koornfontein Rehabilitation Trust. On 8 April, 2016, the sale agreements were deemed to have been fulfilled, resulting in the department giving consent in terms of the regulations, for the disposal of 100% control of Optimum and Koornfontein to Tegeta. Mamothame said the Coal Supply Agreement was supposed to continue until December 2018. 'Millions were reportedly embezzled,' he said. Abandoned mines According to Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke's report, released in 2023, there were 6 100 abandoned mines and 1 170 mine openings nationwide. Maluleke urged government to speed up rehabilitation of the abandoned mines, as they posed health, safety and environmental hazards for nearby communities. ALSO READ: SCA overturns Nulane accused's acquittal and orders retrial
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Millions unaccounted for as ex-mine bosses face court over fraud
Millions meant for mine rehabilitation allegedly embezzled as former executives and a top official face court. Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender and Joel Raphela appearing before the Randburg Magistrate's Court after they were arrested on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied Several former mining bosses, their mining firm and a senior former civil servant are expected to appear in High Court in Johannesburg today for reportedly embezzling funds meant for mining rehabilitation. Those expected in court include former deputy director-general of the then department of mineral and resources Joel Raphela, Ronica Ragan, Pushpaveni Govender, Optimum Coal Mine, Koornfontein Mines and Tegeta Exploration and Resources. During the trial that started on Monday, the group pleaded not guilty to 11 charges that include Contravention of Regulation 4 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Contravention of Regulation 7 of the National Environmental Act, money laundering, forgery, uttering and perjury. Ex-mine bosses pleaded no guilty to 11 charges Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the court appearance emanated from the alleged fraud linked to the rehabilitation of Koornfontein mine. Ragavan was then director and Govender a trustee. ALSO READ: Ex-govt official arrested over 'looting' of Gupta mine rehabilitation funds gets R20,000 bail 'In December 2015, Oakbay Investments entered into a sale of shares and claims agreement with Glencore for the acquisition of shares in Optimum and Koornfontein mine. 'The agreement was for Tegeta to take control of the Optimum Mine Rehabilitation Trust and the Koornfontein Rehabilitation Trust. 'On 8 April, 2016, the sale agreements were deemed to have been fulfilled, resulting in the department giving consent in terms of the regulations, for the disposal of 100% control of Optimum and Koornfontein to Tegeta. Millions reportedly embezzled 'The Coal Supply Agreement was supposed to continue until December 2018,' said Mamothame. Millions were reportedly embezzled, he said. ALSO READ: Gupta associates arrested over looting of Optimum, Koornfontein funds released on bail Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macau) spokesperson Magnificent Mndebele said the trial was a reflection of what Macua's investigation had unearthed. Their investigation, which spans 11 audited mining communities across six provinces showed how the R284 million in legally obligated Social and Labour Plan funds remained unaccounted for. R284 million unaccounted for According to auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke's report released in 2023, there were 6 100 abandoned mines and 1 170 mine openings countrywide. Maluleke urged government to speed up rehabilitation of the abandoned mines, as they posed health, safety and environmental hazards for nearby communities.
