File
A 54-year-old Eastern Cape headman was arrested on fraud charges for allegedly pretending to be the chief of an area where a mining rights application was under consideration.
The Hawks in the Eastern Cape said Pumelele Ntaba, the Headman of Ngxaza Administration Area under the Hlubi Traditional Council in Tsolo was arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday.
“It is alleged that on 11 July 2017, Ntaba unlawfully, falsely, and with an intent to defraud, wrote a letter to the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) stating that he was the Chief of Ngxaza-Hlubi Traditional Council and the Head of the Council.”
Mgolodela said he allegedly “claimed that he was authorised to support the application for mining rights by Lakhanya Logistics CC to do mining in the same area.”
“DMR approved the application for mining based on the strength of the letter written by Ntaba and Lakhanya Logistics CC continued with the mining business,” she said.
However, the rightful Chief of Ngxaza-Hlubi Traditional Council and the Head of the Council reported the matter to the Hawks for investigation which led to the subsequent arrest of Ntaba.
He made a brief appearance in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court where he was granted bail in the amount of R2000 bail.”
Ntaba will be back in court on 23 March for a trial date to be set.
