Phiwokuhle Mothemela
Shortly before taking his seat at a scheduled council meeting on Thursday morning, Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor Gary van Niekerk was in the dock at the Specialized Commercial Crimes Court.
He faces two counts related to cybercrime, and two for allegedly contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act.
According to the charge sheet, he unlawfully, falsely, and with the intention to defraud, brought two law firms under the impression that he was authorised to instruct them to perform legal work.
The legal work pertained to Van Niekerk challenging his expulsion from the then Northern Alliance.
The amount involved for both law firms amounted to more than R570,000.
State Prosecutor Kenny Cooney told the court that the defence was provided with copies of the docket.
Van Niekerk has appointed Danie Gouws attorneys to act on his behalf.
He will appear in court again on 15 January next year.
