The two are facing a string of charges, including fraud and money laundering. Van Staden was arrested on April 26, while Makua was arrested last Tuesday in his home in Mhluzi by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit.
It is alleged that the pair sold RDP homes from Rockdale and Tokologo homeowners without their consent.
The Hawks spokesperson, Capt Dineo Sekgotodi, said buyers allegedly paid money into Van Staden’s business trust account. Van Staden would then allegedly transfer the funds into her account then into Mr Makua and other people’s accounts.
Fofo Boy Makua (55).
On Tuesday, Van Staden applied for legal aid.
The legal aid lawyer told the court that he can only consult with Van Staden on Friday. The matter was postponed to June 1 because the investigating officer will be on leave from Wednesday.
The court also extended Mr Makua’s bail to June 1.
Mr Makua was granted R7 000 bail by the court last week, the court also instructed him not to intimidate the state’s witnesses.
At least 15 people who claim that Ms Van Staden sold their homes without their consent were also present in court.
EFF councillor Johanna Mthombeni said she and 48 other people, whose homes were sold without their knowledge, opened a case with the Middelburg Hawks on Monday.
Do you have a news lead?
Contact our editorial office on 013 243 1434 or our standby number for emergencies on 072 248 3855 to share your story with us.
Follow us on the Middelburg Observer Facebook group or page or send a whatsapp to 072 248 3855 with the words “add me” for the latest news.
Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online.
Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol.
A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za)
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
I have been working as a journalist/photographer since 2018 at the Middelburg Observer.
Before joining Caxton I was a Journalism Student at the Tshwane University of Technology.
I was also a broadcasting intern at the SABC in Pretoria. In my first year as a journalist I was awarded the Upcoming Journalist of the Year at the O H Frewin awards.
My motto in life is ‘I am human before anything’ with that being said I am driven by human stories and I am a strong believer in justices and human rights.
