Algoa FM news
Former Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba and her 14 co-accused were back in the East London District court on Friday in connection with the Nelson Mandela Funeral Fund saga.
Gomba was fired from her post by Premier Lubabalo Mabuyane amidst the scandal last month.
Along with her co-accused, Gomba faces charges of fraud, corruption and money-laundering relating to R10 million meant for the funeral of Nelson Mandela.
They face 23 charges and alternative charges according to the draft charge sheet.
The accused include former Buffalo City mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, her former deputy Themba Tinta, Ondela Mahlangu, who was a senior BCM official at the time, ANC regional leader Pumlani Mkolo, Nosiphiwo Mati, Zintle Nkuhlu and her company Lilly Rose and Viwe Vazi and his company "Forty Wings".
The National Prosecuting Authority says it is the state’s case that Mkolo, Ncitha, Tinta and Gomba used their positions and influence to set in motion a scheme designed to defraud the municipality and to misappropriate municipal funds earmarked for the transportation of mourners to the various venues where memorial services were to be held.
During Friday's proceedings, which were attended by a large media contingent, the matter was postponed to the 11th of May for the defence teams to peruse the docket and consider the merits of the case.
The State indicated that on the 11th of May, it hopes to confirm a High Court date and have the matter transferred to the High Court for trial.
The Defence is also expected to submit dates in the 4th term for a High Court transfer.
Gomba and her co-accused are out on bail of a thousand rand each.
