FORMER chairman of land acquisition in the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements, Peter Nyoni, implicated ex-state security minister Bongani Bongo for forging his signature.
Nyoni was testifying in the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court on Friday, 23 June.
He told the court that Bongo, who was the legal advisor and a member of the land negotiations committee in the department, allegedly forged his signature on a document of the extension of scope of work in 2010.
Nyoni said the document was addressed to the then head of the department, David Dube and the writing of it was never discussed with him. He told the court that he was only made aware of the document during his interrogation by the SIU in Tshwane.
"The signature is that of advocate Bongo in the administration, especially at the level that we were as directors, which is the top management of the institution. We have become familiar with one another's names and signatures. Secondly, I take it that the HOD recognises that signature attached to this letter as well as the chief financial officer that is why it led to the processing of the document in line with their comments," he said.
Nyoni said the signing of the document by Bongo could have depended on what he was instructed to do by Dube.
Bongo, Robert Burwise, Patrick Chirwa, Harrington Dhlamini, Blessing Singwane, David Dube, Vusi Magagula, Bongani Sibiya, Elmon Mdaka, Sibongile Mdaka and Sandile Nkosi, as well as five companies, are facing 85 charges ranging from fraud, theft, corruption, contravention of Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
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On Thursday, 22 June, former marketing manager at Nelspruit Union Motors has testified that the former head of the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements, Dube, bought a Mercedes-Benz worth more than R1 million in 2011.
Dube is among the 17 people including companies charged with corruption, fraud, theft and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act for irregular land deals that occurred in the Mpumalanga human settlements department between 2010 and 2011.
Chantelle Viviers told the court that the former head paid a deposit of R620 000 for a Mercedes-Benz, and the bank had to finance the balance of R98 335,99.
The total value of the vehicle was R718 335,99.
Viviers said the deposit was paid as a cash deposit made at Standard Bank Nelspruit for R200 000 with a reference written "shoes".
"On 16 May 2011, another deposit came, and it was R200 000 into the Union motors account with reference shoes," she said.
All the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial will continue on Monday, 26 June.
