Latest news with #R13-million
Daily Maverick
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Premier Soccer League's Andile Ncobo granted bail in R15m fraud and money laundering case
The general manager of the Premier Soccer League and his wife have appeared in court facing charges of fraud and money laundering exceeding R15m. Andile Ncobo, who is also a former Fifa and South African referee, and his wife Salome Ncobo, appeared in the Bellville Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 in connection with fraud and money laundering charges involving more than R15-million. Prosecutor Denzel Combrink said the Ncobos were arrested on the morning of Monday, 5 May after the Hawks issued a warrant for their arrest. The arrest follows a lengthy investigation by the Hawks, beginning in 2012. Western Cape Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siyabulela Vukubi said the couple handed themselves over to the Hawks on Monday. 'This stems from when they acquired funds from PetroSA to the total amount of R13-million after they claimed that a school, Gangatha Junior Secondary School [Eastern Cape], needed funds for infrastructure. PetroSA then deposited money into their bank accounts.' Vukubi said the money was allegedly not used for its intended purpose. 'It was diverted to other bank accounts associated with accused No 1 (Andile Ncobo), hence they appeared here at the Bellville Magistrates' Court.' On Tuesday, Combrink and the Ncobos' lawyers, Khanyisa Lingani and Ntokozo Mtshemla, clashed in court over the couple's release. Combrink told the court that the matter against the couple should be postponed and that no bail should be granted. This was to give the State time to acquire information about the couple's address and to verify if other cases were pending against them. 'The State submission is that when the accused were tracked, there were two different addresses, one in Eastern Cape and one in Johannesburg. This morning, after they were arrested, they gave two different addresses… due to the fact that we only received that information this morning, there was no time for us to confirm the address of the accused,' said Combrink. Lingani argued that there was no need for a postponement as the State should have had all the required information after an investigation lasting more than 10 years. He said Andile Ncobo should be released on bail so he could facilitate a soccer final match set to take place at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban. The court agreed and the postponement was denied. The defence further asked that a bail of R5,000 be set for Andile Ncobo and R1,000 for Salome Ncobo. However, the court set bail at R50,000 for Andile Ncobo and R30,000 for Salome Ncobo. The matter was adjourned to 29 May 2025 for further investigation. Background The State alleges that the couple embarked on a fraudulent scheme to obtain money from the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (PetroSA) for disadvantaged schools. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) alleges that in 2008, PetroSA launched a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme aimed at supporting disadvantaged schools, institutions and disaster relief efforts. As part of this initiative, Gangatha Junior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape was granted R13-million to rebuild and upgrade its facilities. The donation covered the construction of new classrooms, an administration block, ablution facilities, a science and computer laboratory, the development of a sports field and the installation of a security fence. A trust, the King's Gangatha Building Trust, was established to oversee the project. NPA Western Cape spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said that 'Ncobo oversaw and managed the construction, which started in November 2008 and was completed in September 2009. The school never authorised him to act as its representative or appointed him as a project manager to oversee and manage the construction.' 'PetroSA appointed quantity surveyors to assess the value of the services rendered when allegations of irregularities and fraud within the CSI department surfaced. The inspection revealed that products used, and the services rendered, were of inferior quality and did not correspond with the amount of the donations made.' According to the NPA, costs amounted to R5.9m. It was established that it would cost PetroSA a further R398,363 to remedy the defects. Further project In another project, Nqadu Pre-Grade R School approached PetroSA for a donation to build a new preschool in 2008. Ntabalazila said that 'the application was finalised, and Ncobo's wife was the contact person. PetroSA approved the request and paid R 485,450 into the Great Kei bank account. One accused informed the school principal that he was building the preschool with his own money. He oversaw the construction, but no furniture or educational equipment was delivered to the school. The board members appearing on the documentation submitted to PetroSA during the application for funding denied being board members and disputed signatures purported to be theirs.' PetroSA launched an internal investigation through its Risk and Compliance Department after discovering that its investments in various schools and entities, including the Nqadu Pre-Grade R School, had not produced the intended results. A quantity surveyor's report revealed that an additional R20,093 would be needed to fix defects at the school. The investigation raised concerns about the proper use of funds allocated for these projects. 'The money-laundering charge relates to R15.19-million being distributed to bank accounts of Gangatha Projects, Eseswe Projects, Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute, Aldrin Andile Baldwin Development ILE PR. Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) records reveal that Gangatha Projects was not a registered entity. Ace Ncobo Development ILE Projects Close Corporation was registered, and the accused had a 100% interest in it. Eseswe Projects and Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute were not registered entities,' said Ntabazalila. DM
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- The Citizen
PSL's Ace Ncobo and wife granted bail in fraud and money laundering case
Their case has been postponed until 29 May for further investigation. Former Fifa referee Andile Ncobo and his wife appear in the Belville Magistrate's Court in Cape Town on 5 May 2025. Picture: NPA Premier Soccer League general manager Andile Ncobo and his wife, Salomie, have been granted bail after appearing on fraud and money laundering charges at the Bellville Magistrate's Court today. The couple is facing three counts of fraud and money laundering relating to a R15 million donation towards school construction projects in the Eastern Cape. After a brief court appearance, Ncobo – popularly known as Ace – was granted R50 000 bail and his wife R30 000. CSI programme fraud The state is accusing the pair of embarking on a scheme to fraudulently acquire money from Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (PetroSA) in a way that favoured them, their family members, and entities they had a vested interest in. PetroSA ran a corporate social investment (CSI) programme that was responsible for administering and granting monetary donations to needy and disadvantaged schools, institutions or disaster management programmes. The programme focused on education, health, community enhancement and/or environment. ALSO READ: R2 million laptop saga triggers disciplinary action in Mpumalanga education department National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said in 2008, Gangatha Junior Secondary School applied for a donation to build new furnished and equipped computer and science laboratories, classrooms, and an administration block, as well as ablution facilities. The donation would also go towards developing the sports field and erecting a security fence. R13-million agreement 'PetroSA entered into an agreement to donate R13 million to rebuild the school. A King's Gangatha Building Trust, unregistered, was established to facilitate the funding and rebuilding of the school,' Ntabazalila said. He said Ncobo oversaw and managed the construction, which started in November 2008 and was completed in September 2009. 'The school never authorised him to act as its representative or appointed him as a project manager to oversee and manage the construction,' he added. Irregularities assessed When allegations of irregularities and fraud within the CSI department surfaced, the state-owned oil and gas company appointed quantity surveyors to assess the value of the services rendered. ALSO READ: Free State asbestos trial: Investigating officer denies misleading US over Cholota's extradition The inspection revealed that the products used and the services rendered were of inferior quality and did not correspond with the amount of the donations made. The costs reportedly amounted to R5.9 million inclusive of 14% Value Added Tax (VAT). According to the NPA, it was established that it would cost PetroSA a further R398 363 inclusive of 14% VAT to remedy the defects. The State further alleges that Ncobo made several misrepresentations to PetroSA when the King's Gangatha Building Trust and other supporting documentation were submitted to their offices to substantiate the application and for approval for the donation. Nqadu Pre-Grade R School Ntabazalila said in another project, Nqadu Pre-Grade R School approached PetroSA for a donation to build a new pre-school in 2008. The application was finalised, and Ncobo's wife was allegedly the contact person. PetroSA approved the request and paid R485 450 into a Great Kei, Eastern Cape, bank account. ALSO READ: 11 accused in Sassa R260 million fraud case to remain behind bars 'Accused one informed the school principal that he was building the pre-school with his own money. He oversaw the construction, but no furniture or educational equipment was delivered to the school,' Ntabazalila. 'The board members appearing on the documentation submitted to PetroSA during the application for funding denied being board members and disputed signatures purported to be theirs.' PetroSA launches internal investigation After discovering that their investment at the various schools or entities where the accused were involved did not yield the intended results, PetroSA lodged an internal investigation through their Risk and Compliance Department. The quantity surveyors reportedly established that it would cost the company a further R20 093 inclusive of 14% VAT to remedy the defects at the pre-school. Money laundering charge The money laundering charge relates to the distribution of R15.9 million to the bank accounts of Gangatha Projects, Eseswe Projects, Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute and Aldrin Andile Baldwin Development ILE PR. 'Companies and Intellectual Property Commission records reveal that Gangatha Projects was not a registered entity. Ace Ncobo Development ILE Projects Close Corporation was registered, and the accused had a 100% interest in it. Eseswe Projects and Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute were not registered entities,' Ntabazalila said. ALSO READ: Justice department dismisses 54 officials in major crackdown The Ncobos respond In a statement released on Ncobo's Facebook profile following the couple's appearance in court, the former match official said they welcomed the NPA's decision to exercise its constitutional duties without favour, albeit malicious. 'We appreciate the overwhelming messages of support and wish to assure our family, friends, and the supportive public that their support is not misplaced. We have never been involved in any criminal conduct in all the projects our company did,' Ncobo wrote. 'All projects we were appointed to do were completed in record time and to the highest standards. The particular project which is made part of this matter is a school that we built almost two decades ago. It still stands proudly as an asset of that community,' he added. Ncobo said they have full confidence in the country's justice system and know that the court will judge for itself that this matter should never have been brought before it in the first place. 'We humbly request to be given space to deal with this matter without any further public or media engagements beyond this statement.' Their case was postponed until 29 May for further investigation. NOW READ: Warning: watch out for scammers posing as police
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Budget cuts leave Pretoria's Schools of Specialisation grasping at straws
The future of Pretoria's specialised education is under threat after the Gauteng Department of Education slashed funding to Schools of Specialisation (SoS) by a staggering 81.36% since 2022. Funding dropped from R69.29-million in 2022 to R13-million in 2024, a move the DA said would cripple the province's ability to prepare learners for critical industries such as engineering, biotechnology, science, and manufacturing. 'This reduction hinders equipping learners with critical skills needed to grow the economy,' said Michael Waters, DA member of the provincial legislature. Nine Pretoria-based schools have been severely affected, with some facing serious drops of over 85%. These include institutions in Saulsville, Atteridgeville, Pretoria east, Centurion, Soshanguve, Ga-Rankuwa, and Mamelodi. MEC of the Gauteng Department of Education, Matome Chiloane, informed Gauteng Legislature that ]Edward Phatudi School of Specialisation in Saulsville's allocation plummeted from R3.9-million in 2022 to just over R1-million in 2024. Similarly, the Pro Arte Alphen Park Performing and Creative Arts School in Pretoria east saw a cut from R3-million to R426 300 over the same period. 'These schools of specialisation were opened to great fanfare and are now left to fend for themselves,' said Waters. 'Learners are being denied the very subjects that could prepare them for jobs in competitive, high-demand sectors.' Established between 2018 and 2025, these schools offer advanced education in subjects like nuclear science, automotive skills, creative arts, maths, research and innovation, and more. Some also offer vocational subjects such as hospitality, tourism, agriculture, and beauty technology. These are skills Waters said are vital in fighting the high unemployment rate in Gauteng of 34.4%. While Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi maintains that the province is empowering youth through these institutions, Waters accused the provincial government of pushing them 'into a desperate scramble for funding'. The DA Gauteng has vowed to challenge the cuts and raise the issue at the Gauteng Education Portfolio Committee, calling for urgent review and intervention to prevent long-term damage to learners' futures and the province's economic growth. ALSO READ: Students unite, excel at Fontie Games Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
21-04-2025
- The Citizen
Substation fire repairs cost Tshwane millions
The past few weeks have had many a Centurion resident stuck in the dark without electricity, mostly due to substation outages, which affect several areas simultaneously. Substation fires, such as the one at Brakfontein, have become a significant concern for residents, leaving communities grappling with prolonged power outages. These incidents result in residents being without electricity for weeks, as the damage caused by these fires necessitates repairs or replacement of vital equipment at the substations, which often takes time. According to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo, the substation repair costs after a fire can reach up to R13-million per incident. However, Mashigo noted that this figure may vary depending on the size of the substation. 'After the cost has been determined, the amount is subsequently submitted to the insurance for coverage,' he explained. He said the metro also has several procedures to ensure prompt and efficient maintenance and repairs at substations following a fire or cable theft incident. These procedures include conducting an impact analysis of the damage, checking the availability of spare parts in-house, reaching out to other municipalities and Eskom for assistance, and emergency procurement of materials from contracted companies. Mashigo added that the process continues with the removal of damaged equipment, testing and replacing those items, excavating for cable replacement, and conducting various tests on feeder cables and transformers to ensure power restoration to the substation. He elaborated on the measures the metro is taking to prevent cable theft and subsequent substations fires in Centurion. 'The Tshwane metro police assist with patrols and visibility at substations and in theft hotspot areas to safeguard the electricity network infrastructure from theft and vandalism.' Mashigo mentioned that all substations are equipped with surge arrestors and that the paint used inside the substations provides additional protection against fire. Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) spokesperson Isaac Mahamba confirmed that police officers are actively monitoring areas prone to these incidents in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies. However, he could not provide further details on the specific measures in place, as much of the information remains classified. Residents in the area have expressed their frustration over the disruptions caused by these incidents, including the recent fire at the Brakfontein Substation. This incident affects their comfort and hinders access to essential services. Christopher Lanco, a Lyttelton resident, said that these fires are a serious cause for concern. 'The fire at the Brakfontein Substation left many people without power, and it's not just an inconvenience. It's a major disruption for families, especially those with children and the elderly who rely on electricity for essential needs,' he said. Lanco recalled the fire that occurred at the Kloofsig Substation in 2021, which left areas including Kloofsig, Lyttelton, and Barnard Park without electricity for days. 'When that fire happened, it felt like we were cut off from the world. We couldn't cook, the kids weren't able to bathe with hot water in the morning for school, and many of us had to throw away food that spoiled in fridges.' He shared that it's extremely frustrating that these incidents continue to happen. 'I just want to feel secure in my home and know that the lights will stay on,' he added. Bongane Mtshali, a Heuweloord resident, recently told Rekord how he and his family coped without electricity due to the fire at the Brakfontein Substation. 'It was tough, especially with two kids at home. We had to rely on candles and flashlights for light. 'Cooking was a challenge too; we resorted to using a gas stove outside,' he said. Mtshali stated that his children were restless and bored, finding it difficult to keep themselves entertained without their usual gadgets. 'We tried to make the best of it, playing board games and telling stories, but the uncertainty of when power would come back was stressful.' In April last year, a fire also broke out at the Raslouw substation, just off the R55. At the time, former MMC for Utility Services and Regional Operation and Coordination, Themba Fosi, stated that an investigation pointed to rodents as the cause of the fire. He explained that preliminary investigations indicated that the fire was caused by a short circuit initiated by rodents that had gnawed through the wires inside the panels. 'Further assessments conducted by our technical team revealed a faulty cable leading towards the Sunderland Ridge sewer treatment plant.' ALSO READ: Soshanguve residents over the moon with early completion of substation upgrade Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
