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Three former high-ranking EP Rugby Union officials and two co-accused appeared briefly in the PE Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday afternoon where they were charged with fraud, corruption and money laundering.
They were all granted bail by Magistrate Ramona van Vuuren and the matter was postponed to the 8th of March in the PE Commercial Crimes Court.
The appearance of former EPRU Club Affairs Manager John Scheepers, former EPRU vice-presidents Eldridge Februarie and Bantwini Matika and two other accused is the sequel to the issuing of two false invoices to the Union.
According to the charge sheet, accused number three Johnny Oersen held a certain FNB Bank Account and was acquainted with Februarie while accused number five Xoliswa Mbengu operates a catering service which provides ongoing catering services to EP Rugby.
The charge sheet states that the five accused acted with common purposes in submitting a false invoice to the value of R283 000 for the hiring of sports fields and a second false invoice to the value of just over R174 000 for catering services to the Union.
An investigation was launched after EP Rugby Union President Andre Rademan prevented the payment of the two invoices.
NPA spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani told Algoa FM News that they did not oppose bail as the five accused had cooperated with the State and had handed themselves over to the Hawks.
She said they also all have fixed addresses and have no previous convictions.
Matika was granted bail of R1000 and the other four accused were each granted bail of R500.
Matika resigned as Deputy President of the Union in May 2020 shortly after the fraud allegations came to light.
