The former CEO of Access Management, Stefan Pretorius, appeared in court in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday on fraud charges related to the Nelson Mandela Bay's Integrated Public Transport System.
Access Management used to be the operator of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Pretorius is the fifth suspect to be charged in connection with the matter which also involved former EP rugby boss, Cheeky Watson, former municipal employee, Nadia Gerwel, Uitenhage businesswoman, Andrea Wessels and her company Zeranza and another accused, Mandisi Mkaza.
Pretorius was also granted bail of R2000.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson, Robert Netshiunda said in an earlier report that the charges related to money that went missing from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality coffers that was earmarked for the Integrated Transport System (IPTS).
“In 2007 National Treasury approved a budget of R208 million for the improvement of the IPTS system. When we investigated we found that corruption took place and that already R12 million had been misused, people did not do what they were supposed to with the money. It was used for personal gain,” Netshiunda said.
Watson, Gerwel and Wessels indicated in affidavits to court that they intended to plead not guilty to the charges against them.
“I believe the charges are malicious and we will get to the bottom of this,” Watson said after his first court appearance.
The state alleges that all the accused acted “in common purpose”.
The case was remanded to the 10th of July in the Commercial Crimes Court.
(Additional reporting ANA)
