Update

GEORGE NEWS - A 10th suspect has been arrested in connection with the South Cape TVET College fraud case.

Elphas Bhekuyise Hawu Mavundla (49) briefly appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on Tuesday 24 October after being tracked down in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal. He was arrested by the George Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team after handing himself over.

The case was postponed until Monday 6 November to obtain bail information. Mavundla remains in custody.

Following his next appearance, Mavundla will appear in court again on 8 November alongside the other nine accused.

According to Hawks spokesperson WO Zinzi Hani, it is alleged the accused, as a director of a company, colluded with other bidders to manipulate the quote system. He allegedly overquoted to enable the other bidder to be considered for the tender. The deliberate act became a criterium for the elimination of his company.

The case against the other nine accused was postponed to 8 November for pre-trial. All the accused were released on bail ranging from R2 000 to R10 000.

Nine others arrested

Eight people who were allegedly also involved were arrested in April this year. These accused include the CEO of the college during that time, Luvuyo Lennox Ngubelanga (55).

The theft to the amount R24m allegedly took place between 2009 and 2014.

The Hawks and Pops closed in on the eight on Wednesday 12 April. They made their first court appearance the following day where they were all released on bail separately.

Ngubelanga was released on R10 000 bail, Elliot Dyabaza (51) on R3 000 bail, Prudence Dingiswayo (46) on R2 000, Patrick Mcedisi Mbebe (57) on R5 000, Pieter Johannes Sam (52) on R5 000, Andreas Khulekani Ngubeni (53) on R5 000, Nomathamsanqa Maude Msizi (39) on R3 000 and Shadrack Njozela (60) on R3 000 bail. 

The ninth accused was arrested in May this year. Zukiswa Monica Ziqu (54), who was the chief financial officer (CFO) at the college, appeared in the George Magistrate's Court on 11 May. 

She had been arrested the previous day and was released on R5 000 bail. They face charges of corruption, fraud and alternatively theft.

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