Millions unaccounted for as ex-mine bosses face court over fraud
Millions meant for mine rehabilitation allegedly embezzled as former executives and a top official face court.
Ronica Ragavan, Pushpaveni Govender and Joel Raphela appearing before the Randburg Magistrate's Court after they were arrested on Tuesday. Picture: Supplied
Several former mining bosses, their mining firm and a senior former civil servant are expected to appear in High Court in Johannesburg today for reportedly embezzling funds meant for mining rehabilitation.
Those expected in court include former deputy director-general of the then department of mineral and resources Joel Raphela, Ronica Ragan, Pushpaveni Govender, Optimum Coal Mine, Koornfontein Mines and Tegeta Exploration and Resources.
During the trial that started on Monday, the group pleaded not guilty to 11 charges that include Contravention of Regulation 4 of the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, Contravention of Regulation 7 of the National Environmental Act, money laundering, forgery, uttering and perjury.
Ex-mine bosses pleaded no guilty to 11 charges
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the court appearance emanated from the alleged fraud linked to the rehabilitation of Koornfontein mine.
Ragavan was then director and Govender a trustee.
ALSO READ: Ex-govt official arrested over 'looting' of Gupta mine rehabilitation funds gets R20,000 bail
'In December 2015, Oakbay Investments entered into a sale of shares and claims agreement with Glencore for the acquisition of shares in Optimum and Koornfontein mine.
'The agreement was for Tegeta to take control of the Optimum Mine Rehabilitation Trust and the Koornfontein Rehabilitation Trust.
'On 8 April, 2016, the sale agreements were deemed to have been fulfilled, resulting in the department giving consent in terms of the regulations, for the disposal of 100% control of Optimum and Koornfontein to Tegeta.
Millions reportedly embezzled
'The Coal Supply Agreement was supposed to continue until December 2018,' said Mamothame.
Millions were reportedly embezzled, he said.
ALSO READ: Gupta associates arrested over looting of Optimum, Koornfontein funds released on bail
Mining Affected Communities United in Action (Macau) spokesperson Magnificent Mndebele said the trial was a reflection of what Macua's investigation had unearthed.
Their investigation, which spans 11 audited mining communities across six provinces showed how the R284 million in legally obligated Social and Labour Plan funds remained unaccounted for.
R284 million unaccounted for
According to auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke's report released in 2023, there were 6 100 abandoned mines and 1 170 mine openings countrywide.
Maluleke urged government to speed up rehabilitation of the abandoned mines, as they posed health, safety and environmental hazards for nearby communities.
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