Pule Mabe and co-accused released on R30,000 bail

By Doreen Mokgolo

The former national spokesperson of the ANC, Pule Mabe, and six co-accused have been granted R30,000 bail by the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday.

The matter has been postponed to 25 March for the disclosure of documents.

The seven accused – Mabe and his wife Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe, Loyiso Mkwana, Thandeka Mbassa, Matilda Gasela, Adullah Mohamed Ismail and Tinyiko Mahuntsi – were arrested and charged on Wednesday.

They are charged with fraud, theft, and violating the Public Finance Management Act and Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

The companies in question are KPG Media Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Enviro-Mobi (Pty) Ltd – which was later renamed Groen Mintirho – and  Star Mass Direct (Pty) Ltd T/I Kariki. Pule, his wife and Mahuntsi are the directors of the companies awarded a tender worth R27-million.

In October 2016 the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development issued a R27-million tender where interested parties were to submit proposals to integrate and formalise waste operatives and waste into the mainstream management economy.

On 17 March Enviro-Mobi was awarded the tender.

Over R9-million in storage cost was also paid by the department, with 196 carts delivered and 103 carts still sitting in storage as white elephants.

The company received payment when there was no proof of services rendered.

Mabe also allegedly failed to disclose his status in the company during his term as a Member of Parliament from 31 August 2016 to 31 August 2017; the tender was awarded on 9 March 2017.

Addressing the media, Mabe denied allegations of being a director of the company at the time the company was awarded the tender.

“I resigned from being director of the company when I became an MP in 2016.

“The waste carts are part of my thesis for the Business Management masters qualifications I hold.

“At this point we don’t know who the complainant in the matter is,” he said.

Mabe has stepped aside from being a member of the ANC for the duration of the case.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said the investigations are over and they are ready to proceed with trial.

“The actual case is about the awarding of the tender.

“We were informed that the company lacked the necessary expertise and skills, and we are alleging that the tender was unlawfully awarded,” she said.

Pictured above: Pule Mabe and his wife Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe; and the seven accused in court.

Source: Doreen Mokgolo