The eight
people that were arrested by the Hawks during a raid in Nelson Mandela Bay on
Thursday, made their first appearance in the Gqeberha Magistrates Court
yesterday, September 30 and were all released on R5000 bail.
The eight
accused are Nelson Mandela Bay city manager, Noxolo Nqwazi (57), three former
DA councillors, Trevor Louw (53), Victor Manyathi (62) and Neville Higgins
(43), businessman, Xolani Masela (41) and his wife, Nwabisa Masela (36) as well
as the ANC regional secretary in the metro, Luyolo Nqakula (29) and former acting
executive director of Human Settlements in the metro, Mvuleni Mapu (60).
The eight are
facing charges of fraud, corruption and the contravention of the Municipal
Finance Management Act. This follows their alleged involvement in a toilet
tender contract of more than R24 million that was allegedly fraudulently awarded by the
municipality two years ago. The tender was intended for the construction of toilets in
informal settlement but instead some of it was allegedly used to bribe the
three former councillors to turn against their party, leading to the ousting of
former mayor, Athol Trollip.
After
making an initial appearance in regional court 27 where they were informed of
their rights, the accused were transferred to regional court 25 for bail
applications. The state did not oppose bail. Without any elaboration, Mapu
asked that his firearm not be taken away as his life is in danger. This was
opposed by state prosecutor, adv. Leigh-Anne Pillay-Selahle.
The case
was postponed to October 31 and transferred to the Commercial Crimes Court.
