50K bail for a man who defrauded NW government of R 21million tender
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Photo: NPA
A fraud case against 52 years old man who defrauded the North West government of around R 21million has been postponed to July 27th.
Caswell Mthombeni (52) appeared in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on charges of money laundering and fraud.
Henry Mamothame of the NPA said that it is alleged that in October 2015, the suspect, Mthombeni was appointed by Department of Community Safety and Transport Management in the North West province to help the department in achieving its road safety objectives, which included training of unemployed matriculants and empowering of accredited driving schools in various pilot areas.
The suspect’s duties also included training and developing driving schools and learner drivers.
“An amount of over R21-million was paid to the suspect for the commencement of the programme. Over forty driving schools allegedly signed contracts with the suspect’s company, as beneficiaries of the programme. It is further alleged that these driving schools used their funds to participate in the programme, in anticipation that the suspect will compensate them.”
“The suspect allegedly failed to honour his contractual agreement with the driving schools and spent the money on himself. As a result, the department incurred losses to the tune of over R21-million.”
He was released on R 50 000 bail pending further investigations following arrest by the Hawks.
