Thulisile Mapongwana
An East London funeral parlour business owner-turned self-proclaimed community activist has reiterated why more than 100 of his former clients could not be paid their insurance claims during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Leonard Ncumbese, who now faces charges of fraud, told Algoa FM News his business was liquidated due to the impact of the pandemic, affecting dozens of payouts.
He said even his own personal bank accounts were frozen.
“I am not denying that there are a lot of people that were not able to get their claims because my business was liquidated. Unfortunately, it is something beyond my control,” he says, dispelling all responsibility.
Ncumbese, who appeared in court on Wednesday, said despite his trials and tribulations, he's vowed not to stop fighting for justice for victims of violent crimes.
He has recently been at the forefront of protests that erupted in East London, after 37-year-old murder accused Saziso Mbanjana allegedly killed his [Mbanjana's] 6-year-old child.
The 40-year-old activist said after these fraud charges, some deals that would've benefitted the community, fell through.
“I am not going to back down on standing for justice because of what is currently surrounding me. Unfortunately, [these charges] affected a deal which I have done with FlySafair in East London. I approached them saying I will organise about 10 or more schools so that they may benefit in the careers around aviation.”
Ncumbese added: “[That FlySafair project] also failed because of this case, which unfortunately, is not [even] my fault.”
