The R24 million fraud trial against Nelson Mandela Bay's City Manager, Noxolo Nqwazi, and her co-accused were on the court roll of the Gqeberha Commercial Crimes Court again on Thursday.
The accused, who were excused from attending the court proceedings, are charged with fraud, money laundering, corruption, and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Nqwazi is charged alongside suspended Human Settlements head Mvuleni Mapu, ANC regional secretary Luyolo Nqakula, and former DA councillors Mbulelo Manyathi, Trevor Louw, and Neville Higgins.
The business owners are Xolani Masela and his wife, Nwabisa (Thuthiko Logistics), their daughter Nonpumezo Ngotsha in her capacity as the director of Thuthiko Logistics, and Morne van der Linde of HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD.
When the matter resumed, State Advocate Leigh-Anne Pillay-Selahle informed the court that they had furnished the defence with complete copies of the case docket.
The defence attorney's confirmed that they had indeed received electronic copies of the docket.
They objected to an attempt by Pillay-Selahle to introduce yet another piece of new evidence, stating that she had not brought an application to do so.
It is alleged that Nqwazi and Mapu used the Covid-19 pandemic to enrich themselves and others by circumventing procurement processes to award a R24.6 million tender to HT Pelatona Projects to build 2,000 toilets in the Bay.
The state alleges that Nqwazi and Mapu falsely created the impression that quotations were obtained from two other suppliers before a decision was made to appoint Van Der Linde's company.
Mapu allegedly submitted the two quotations to the metro's Contract Manager after the decision to appoint Van Der Linde as the successful bidder.
Court documents state that R300,000 was allegedly paid to Nqakula’s account on April 28, 2020.
In turn, Nqakula allegedly paid R100,000 each into the accounts of Manyathi, Louw, and Higgins.
The matter was for trial on 17 April.
All of the accused are out on bail.
