The Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court has granted a pastor’s wife bail of R10 000 after she was arrested for her alleged involvement in a theft and money-laundering scheme that defrauded the Mpumalanga Education Department of R114 million.
Police say Pastor Thandekile Sibiya appeared in court on Thursday after authorities arrested her on Wednesday. Her husband, Pastor Bongani Sibiya, was arrested in February in connection with the same crime.
Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Magoseni Nkosi said the accused were awarded tenders to renovate 21 schools across the province.
“Unfortunately, they provided sub-standard work and in some cases some of the work was not done,” he said.
Sibiya’s arrest was the latest after authorities nabbed 40 other people for their alleged involvement in the corruption scandal. Police said Sibiya allegedly funnelled proceeds through her four companies.
Another suspect, Zama Fakude, appeared alongside Sibiya after handing himself over to the police in the morning. Police said Fakude is the director of a company that benefited to the tune of more than R1 million from the fraudulent scheme. Fakude was remanded in custody and his bail application postponed to October 21 to allow for further investigation.
Sibiya is expected to return to court on December 1, alongside her 39 co-accused, including her husband.
Pastor granted opportunity to attend men’s conference
Police said Sibiya’s husband, who was already out on bail, was granted a relaxation of his bail conditions to attend a church men’s conference later this month outside the country. Pastor Sibiya continues to minister and has a prominent social media presence despite the allegations. He uses his social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram to share his Sunday sermons.
The head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major-General Nico Gerber, vowed to continue investigating complex commercial crimes and to follow the money to uncover the alleged beneficiaries of corruption.
“The investigation continues, and all persons implicated in the matter will be afforded the opportunity to answer to the allegations in court,” he said.
IOL News
Lebogang Mashego
iol.co.za
