KPMG ‘swindler’ Fidelis Moema, co-accused granted R50k bail
Former KPMG employee Fidelis Moema and two others were granted R50,000 bail at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge on Friday.
Moema, Trevor Machimane and Tshwane metro police officer Lebohang Sigubudu face charges of fraud and money laundering for their alleged role in the swindling of more than R16 million from KPMG's bursary fund.
Moema allegedly processed these through 431 irregular transactions between 2019 and 2022.
During the bail hearing on Thursday, Moema told the court he could afford a bail amount of R25 000, while Machimana and Sigubudu said they could only raise R3,000 and R4,000, respectively.
However, the state argued that, owing to the seriousness of the charges against them, their bail amount should be set at a higher amount.
“We are satisfied that the court increased the suggested amount by the accused persons and that the court met our request in terms of increasing the quantum to R50,000,” said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.
READ MORE: KPMG bursary fraud: Metro cop joins Moema in dock
Meanwhile, more arrests could be made in the case, but the state chose to stay mum on who it could be.
Mjonongwane said investigators have cast their net wider.
“There are people of interest that we are looking into, so we will be guided by what the investigation uncovers. It would be safe for the state to keep those cards close to our chest.”
The former KPMG bursary specialist stands accused of building a network of friends, family members, and associates to whom he misdirected millions meant for deserving tertiary students to fund his flamboyant lifestyle.
On his now-deleted social media posts, the 32-year-old boasts a luxurious lifestyle of expensive trips, high-end cars, and fashion with hisinfluencer girlfriend, Sthe Bhengu.
On Thursday, the court also heard that Moema had allegedly targeted his ex-girlfriends by asking them to register businesses under the pretext that he would help them apply for tenders, only to use their bank account to unlawfully transfer monies from KPMG.
At the same time, Sigubudu is accused of recruiting companies to receive payments from KPMG, despite not having done any business with the firm or being a bursary recipient. He then allegedly allowed them to keep a share before he took his cut and gave Moema the lion’s share.
Machimana allegedly received over R1 million from the alleged criminal activity, from which he reportedly paid Moema close to R900,000.
The trio will return to court on 28 May.
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