Bobani laid to rest as co-accused appear in court
Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Mongameli Bobani was laid to rest in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) councillor passed away in a local hospital last week after a three-week-long battle against Covid-19.
His funeral took place at the same time as the court appearance of his nine co-accused in a fraud and corruption case.
The nine accused handed themselves over to the Hawks on Friday morning.
Mhleleli Tshamase, Walter Shaidi, Fareed Fakir, Rukaard Abrahams, Andrea Joleen Wessels, Nadia Gerwel, Dawid Eduard Le Roux, Zandisile Qupe and Thando Ngcolomba were granted bail of between R5 000 and R100 000.
They are facing various charges, including fraud, money-laundering and corruption.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Sipho Ngwema says they are accused of influencing tender procurement in the metro.
“This syndicate was operating at Nelson Mandela metro between 2013 and 2015. It is alleged that the political office bearers who have been charged with their political power over the structures at the metro and therefore, appointed people and companies that would strategically then send business to various companies linked to some of the people on the charge sheet.”
It is alleged that Qupe, Ngcolomba and the late Bobani abused their power to influence decision-making in the procurement processes.
