KUGOMPO CITY – Suspect Sizeka Gwana-Ngalwa (46), the director of Chemshelf 6 CC, and her company were convicted and sentenced for 16 counts of fraud and money laundering by the East London Regional Court yesterday, 17 March 2026.
The investigation was carried out by the East London-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation of the Hawks. She was arrested by the Hawks on 29 November 2023 and was released on bail of R2,000 in court.
According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, during the period between October 2010 and June 2011, Ngqushwa Local Municipality appointed Harvey World Travel Agency to facilitate events by paying for accommodation and flights for municipal officials on numerous occasions.
“An amount of over R790,000 was paid to various Bed and Breakfast accommodations, after a submission of claims to the travel agency for services not rendered,” he said. “These included several accommodations around the KuGompo City (formerly East London) area and surroundings, and other companies which were no longer operational.”
Mhlakuvana added that the money was transferred from It’s Normal Trading to Chemshelf 6 CC. As Gwana-Ngalwa is the company director, this led to her arrest in 2023.
“During external auditing, red flags were picked up, and the matter was reported to the Hawks for a probe, which culminated in the arrest of Nomhle Yvone Zongo (46), the former Ngqushwa Local Municipality Manager and Nomonde Mirranda Cowa (54) in 2023, respectively, then released on R2,000 bail each,” he said.
Mhlakuvana noted that the case against the three service providers was withdrawn.
“The investigation continued, which resulted in Bryce Gcinikhaya Ntsangani (65) being served with summons to appear in court on 27 March 2025.”
After numerous court appearances made by Gwana-Ngalwa and her business entity, her sentencing was granted by the East London Regional Court on 17 March 2026.
“Gwana-Ngalwa was sentenced on counts 1-8 to pay a fine of R200,000 or three years of direct imprisonment,” Mhlakuvana said. “On counts 9-16, Gwana-Ngalwa was sentenced to pay a fine of R400,000 or three years of direct imprisonment.”
Additionally, Gwana-Ngalwa was ordered to pay an immediate amount of R10,000 and thereafter pay monthly instalments of R50,000 on or before 30 April 2026.
He further added that Chemshelf 6 CC was sentenced to pay a fine of R600,000, which was wholly suspended for the period of three years “on condition that it is not convicted of fraud and money laundering during the period of suspension.”
