Four men and three companies face money laundering and financial misconduct charges as a high-profile corruption trial continues in Mbombela.

The trial in the Mpumalanga Commercial Crimes Court commenced on Monday, July 27.

The four accused are Samkeliso Ngubane, Raymond Manzini, Moses Ndlovu and Chris Manzini. Although three companies are also charged, they have not yet been mentioned by name in court proceedings.

Ngubane is the head of the Department of Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), and Manzini is a deputy director for disaster management in the department.

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The state alleges that Raymond failed to call on companies to bid for the PPE tender for the sake of fairness and equal treatment. According to the prosecution, the single company that got the tender belonged to Chris, who is Raymond’s younger brother, resulting in an alleged conflict of interest. Meanwhile, Ngubane was arrested for alleged corruption that took place during his tenure.

The accused face charges of money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999, among other charges.

Court rejects separation bid

The trial was delayed on Monday and part of Tuesday when accused number one, Ngubane, applied to magistrate Deon van Rooyen to have his matter separated from his co-accused. Ngubane’s legal representative, Adv Lawrence Mrwebi, told the court he believed it would be in the interest of justice.

“When you look into the charge sheet it has a lack of logic. The fact is that the investigating officer did not do justice to the case. The accused has suffered and continues to suffer prejudice. The charges against him should have been disposed of within the first six months,” said Mrwebi.

“The accused does not know the case against him, he does not know what witnesses to call and what documents to look at,” added Mrwebi.

He said Ngubane continued to suffer professionally and socially, adding that his family and reputation were being affected for no reason.

The state objected, citing several case studies, leading Van Rooyen to postpone the matter to Tuesday, July 28, for judgment.

During Tuesday’s court appearance, Van Rooyen ruled in favour of the State, meaning Ngubane will continue to be tried alongside his co-accused.

“Section 157 of the Criminal Procedure Act allows the joinder of accused to enable the State to deal with the case effectively,” said the magistrate.

He said the section authorised the court to separate an accused in the interest of justice, but that power remained at the court’s discretion.

Van Rooyen said while he understood that Ngubane would suffer prejudice as asserted by his lawyer, the court also had to consider the prejudice to the State.

Witnesses detail sanitiser supply

The State then called witness Ahedshane Butt, a businessperson whose company supplies cleaning materials.

Butt told the court how he received orders for antibacterial gel and latex gloves during Covid-19.

Another witness, Jeffrey Socha Maziya, told the court his company manufactures detergents in KaNyamazane.

Maziya told the court he received a call from Chris Manzini seeking sanitisers during Covid-19 and sold it to him. “A number of bakkies came to collect the boxes of sanitisers after I had received payment,” said Maziya.

The court heard that Raymond failed to recuse himself when a company belonging to his brother, Chris Manzini, was awarded a tender to purchase PPE for the department.

The trial continues and the accused’s bail was extended.