FORMER state security minister Bongani Bongo says he is innocent of fraud and corruption charges against him.
Bongo appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court in Mpumalanga on Monday, 10 January.
He was arrested alongside Robert Burwise, Patrick Chirwa, Harrington Dhlamini, Blessing Singwane, David Dube, Sipho Bongo, Vusi Magagula, Bongani Sibiya, Elmon Mdaka, Sibongile Mdaka and his ex-wife Sandile Nkosi.
They are facing charges of fraud, corruption, theft, money laundering and going against the Public Finance Management Act.
Magistrate Deon van Rooyen postponed the matter to 31 March for Chirwa’s legal representative to be present.
However, Bongo was not happy with the postponement.
Bongo told Daily Sun he was hoping the state would withdraw the case against him.
“We were quite disappointed when the case was postponed in May 2021 for six months.
“Now they are still coming with another postponement.
“There are huge financial implications and a lot of inconvenience on our side, but we will be patient because at the end of the day we need to prove our innocence,” he said.
Bongo said he would wait for the state, but he was aware that the NPA was facing many challenges.
The charges are in connection with the sale and purchase of a R37,5 million farm in Naauwpoort, Emalahleni, by the Mpumalanga human settlements department on behalf of the Emalahleni Municipality.
It’s alleged that the accused misrepresented facts to the human settlements department regarding the ownership and true sale price of the farm.
