KPMG bursary fraud: Metro cop joins Moema in dock

Fidelis Moema, Trevor Machimana and Lebohang Sigubudu have applied for bail following their arrest on charges of fraud and money laundering emanating from over 400 alleged irregular payments from KPMG's account for the trio's unlawful benefit.

Moema was arrested after he handed himself over to police on 2 April, while his alleged accomplices were handcuffed on 11 April.

It’s alleged that Moema masterminded an elaborate scheme between 2019 and 2022 to swindle money meant to fund bursaries for deserving tertiary students.

Moema worked at KPMG as a bursary specialist before he was dismissed in November 2022.

READ MORE: Alleged KPMG bursary fraudster to apply for bail

The three men will spend another night behind bars after bail proceedings were rolled over to Friday.

During bail proceedings, the court heard that Moema created a web of companies and individuals to receive the monies he allegedly misdirected from KPMG.

Machimana and Sigubudu, a sergeant employed by the Tshwane Metro Police Department, would then allegedly pay the bulk of the money back to Moema while keeping some for themselves.

WEB OF COMPANIES, INDIVIDUALS USED TO MOVE MONEY

The state has concluded its investigation and said it is confident it has a strong case.

Machimana allegedly received over R1 million, paying Moema close to R900 000.

“The accused [Machimana] would transfer the bulk of this money and keep a portion for his personal use. Accused two transferred a total of R880,375, to accused one, of monies received from KPMG. Accused had no legal right to any of the money transferred to his account from KPMG,” said state prosecutor Valencia Dube.

Machimana admitted to receiving payments into his business account and sharing his company’s invoice statement with Moema.

The state rejected his proposal to become a possible section 204 witness and testify against Moema.

“The state has indicated we have more than evidence to secure a guilty conviction against accused number one, therefore this offer was declined. There is, however, the possibility of section 105 (a) agreements being made.”

Sigubudu is said to have received over R600 000 before recruiting other companies and individuals to the alleged unlawful activities.

“Accused 3 [Sigubudu] also recruited other people and companies to use their company bank accounts to launder money from KPMG, and they would send part of the money to accused three; who would then transfer the money to accused one.

“These companies and their directors have already approached the state and made statements against accused number three and one. Accused three would allow them to keep a portion or share of the money that was deposited from KPMG.”

Moema is also accused of luring his ex-girlfriends and other vulnerable people into registering companies under the pretext that he would help them apply for tenders, only to use those accounts to unlawfully misdirect monies from KPMG.

It emerged in court that the 32-year-old deceived his current employer upon his appointment, claiming he resigned from KPMG when he had been dismissed. In a letter read out in court, Nedbank confirmed that Moema is a contract worker and that he had been placed on precautionary suspension since 6 April. His contract with the bank terminates at the end of this month.

The three men said they intend to plead not guilty to all charges against them.

Moema told the court he could afford a bail amount of R25,000; Machimana’s family said they could raise R3,000, while Sigubudu said he could afford R4,000.

A ruling on the trio’s bail will be delivered on Friday.

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