Latest news with #PuleMabe
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Pule Mabe's lawyers say delays in corruption case costing him a lot of money
JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers of former African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson Pule Mabe are not happy about the delays in his corruption case, saying it's costing the politician a lot of money. On Tuesday, Mabe, along with his wife, Hleki, and five other accused persons, appeared at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge. They are all charged with multiple counts of fraud, money laundering, and contraventions of the Public Management Finance Act. ALSO READ: The charges stem from an irregular R27 million tender awarded to Mabe's Enviro Mobi company to supply 200 three-wheeler motorbikes to waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni area. Since being charged, Mabe has resigned as a member of the ANC's national executive committee (NEC). During his bail application, he said he earns about R25,000 a month from a small business he owns. Mabe's legal representative, Zola Majavu, said the continued delays in the case are negatively impacting his client's political and professional career. 'They [the State] are asking for a postponement to amend the charge sheet to give us some other version, and that is the frustrating part because every time I come to court, my services don't come cheap, there is emotional trauma my clients are subjected to. Whether they will be found guilty or not, we need to get going.' Last November, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) got a preservation order to freeze some of Mabe's assets, which include a property at Steyn City and a Porsche Carrera GTS.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Mabe has suffered 'emotional trauma' for being dragged back and forth to court with wife, says lawyer
JOHANNESBURG – The former African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, has suffered 'emotional trauma' from being dragged back and forth to court with his wife, Hleki. On Tuesday, the husband and wife appeared alongside their five co-accused at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge. They are all charged with multiple counts of fraud, money laundering and contraventions of the Public Management Finance Act. The charges stem from an irregular R27 million tender awarded to Mabe's Enviro Mobi company to supply 200 three-wheeler motorbikes to waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni area. ALSO READ: Pule Mabe's lawyers say delays in corruption case costing him a lot of money NPA requests more time to finalise charge sheet in corruption case against Pule Mabe, co-accused Mmathlekelo Elsie Mabe was listed as a director of Enviro Mobi when it scored the R27 million tender in 2017. At the time, the company did not disclose its affiliation with Mabe, who was a member of Parliament (MP) and was not allowed to do business with the government. The State also alleges that money from the tender flowed to Mmathlekelo's account. Advocate Zola Majavu, who is representing the couple, says this has been a difficult period for them. 'There is emotional trauma my clients are subjected to, whether they are found guilty or not guilty, we need to get going.' Majavu added, 'He's (Pule) not very happy, but he doesn't locate himself above the law. It's not a nice thing to be subjected to court processes with your wife. The toll it's taking on them is unbearable, but that is how the legal cookie crumbles.' The case has been adjourned to 7 July 2025.
Eyewitness News
4 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Delays in corruption case taking emotional & financial toll on Pule Mabe, says lawyer
JOHANNESBURG - The ongoing corruption case involving former African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, has taken an emotional and financial toll on him. On Tuesday, Mabe, along with his wife and five co-accused, appeared at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge. They are all charged with multiple counts of fraud, money laundering and contraventions of the Public Management Finance Act. ALSO READ: • Mabe has suffered 'emotional trauma' for being dragged back and forth to court with wife, says lawyer • Pule Mabe's lawyers say delays in corruption case costing him a lot of money • Pule Mabe's lawyers say State holding them up from proceeding with corruption trial • NPA requests more time to finalise charge sheet in corruption case against Pule Mabe, co-accused The charges stem from an irregular R27 million tender awarded to Mabe's Enviro Mobi company to supply 200 three-wheeler motorbikes to waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni area. Since being formally charged last year, Mabe has stepped down from his role as a member of the ANC's national executive committee. In court papers, Mabe said that his only income was R25,000 a month from a small business. His lawyer, Zola Majavu, said that Mabe was frustrated with the delays and wanted to go to trial in order to clear his name. "Everytime I come to court, my services don't come cheap. There is emotional trauma my clients are subjected to. Whether they will be found guilty or not guilty, we need to get going, but unfortunately they (prosecution) asked for an opportunity to amend the charge sheet and we agreed they have until the 7th of July to do so." In November last year, the State was granted a preservation order freezing Mabe's assets, which included a house at the luxury estate of Steyn City and a Porsche Carrera GTS.
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Pule Mabe's corruption case postponed to July as final charge sheet is still pending
The corruption case involving former ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe and six co-accused individuals has been postponed to July 7 as the State works to finalise the charge sheet. The decision was announced during court proceedings on Tuesday at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Ekurhuleni. Mabe, 44, his wife Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe, 46, and five others — Loyiso Mkwana, Thandeka Mbassa, Matilda Gasela, Abdullah Mohamed Ismail, and Mabe's business associate Tinyiko Mahuntsi — appeared briefly before Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi. All seven accused are currently out on bail of R30 000 each. State prosecutor Magdeline Montwedi Mclean told the court that the defence and prosecution had agreed to postpone proceedings to allow the State time to provide the final charge sheet by June 30. If delivered on time, the accused may be issued a trial date at their next court appearance on July 7. Mabe, once a prominent figure in the ruling African National Congress, is at the centre of a case stemming from a controversial R27 million tender awarded in 2017 to his company, Enviro Mobi. The company was contracted by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to supply 200 three-wheeled motorised waste collection vehicles — known as tuk-tuks — intended to support 58 waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni municipality. According to the state, the contract was awarded under irregular and fraudulent circumstances. Investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Hawks revealed that Enviro Mobi received R27 231 750 in payments 'without any service rendered.' In addition, over R6 million was allegedly paid out to cover storage expenses for the tuk-tuks, despite no record of the vehicles being deployed for their intended purpose. Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said that the charges against the accused include theft, fraud, and violations of both the Public Finance Management Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Mjonondwane further detailed how the procurement process was manipulated. A public tender was advertised on February 10, 2017, calling for proposals to support the integration of small and medium waste enterprises into Gauteng's waste management economy. Ten companies responded, including Enviro Mobi, which allegedly lacked the necessary experience and technical capacity to fulfil the tender's requirements.'Enviro Mobi was awarded the tender despite serious shortcomings,' Mjonondwane explained. 'The State alleges that Makwana, Mbassa, and Ismail facilitated the unlawful appointment of Enviro Mobi, represented by Pule Mabe. At the time, the company reportedly denied any links to government officials or members of Parliament.' Mabe had served as director of Enviro Mobi from 2010 to 2014 and was a signatory on the business account of KGP Media Holdings, one of the companies charged in the case. Both Star Mass Direct and KGP Media Holdings — formerly known as Kariki Media Holdings and Groen Mintirho, respectively — are also facing charges. The SIU and Hawks allege that from March 2017 onwards, Enviro Mobi submitted invoices exceeding R26 million with no accompanying documentation to verify the completion of work or delivery of services. Prominent defence attorney Zola Majavu is representing Mabe, his wife, and their companies. Neither the accused nor their legal representatives made public comments following the postponement on Tuesday. The next court appearance on July 7 is expected to bring further clarity, with the potential for a trial date to be set depending on the State's readiness and finalisation of charges. The case has drawn significant attention given Mabe's previous high-profile role in South African politics and the growing scrutiny over government procurement processes.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Pule Mabe's corruption case postponed to July as final charge sheet is still pending
Former national spokesperson Pule Mabe appeared at the Palm Ridge specialised commercial crimes court in 2024. Mabe and his co-accused face corruption in connection with a million-rand tender, which was allegedly awarded unlawfully to his company, Enviro Mobi, in 2017. The corruption case involving former ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe and six co-accused individuals has been postponed to July 7 as the State works to finalise the charge sheet. The decision was announced during court proceedings on Tuesday at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Ekurhuleni. Mabe, 44, his wife Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe, 46, and five others — Loyiso Mkwana, Thandeka Mbassa, Matilda Gasela, Abdullah Mohamed Ismail, and Mabe's business associate Tinyiko Mahuntsi — appeared briefly before Magistrate Brian Nemavhidi. All seven accused are currently out on bail of R30 000 each. State prosecutor Magdeline Montwedi Mclean told the court that the defence and prosecution had agreed to postpone proceedings to allow the State time to provide the final charge sheet by June 30. If delivered on time, the accused may be issued a trial date at their next court appearance on July 7. Mabe, once a prominent figure in the ruling African National Congress, is at the centre of a case stemming from a controversial R27 million tender awarded in 2017 to his company, Enviro Mobi. The company was contracted by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to supply 200 three-wheeled motorised waste collection vehicles — known as tuk-tuks — intended to support 58 waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni municipality. According to the state, the contract was awarded under irregular and fraudulent circumstances. Investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Hawks revealed that Enviro Mobi received R27 231 750 in payments 'without any service rendered.' In addition, over R6 million was allegedly paid out to cover storage expenses for the tuk-tuks, despite no record of the vehicles being deployed for their intended purpose. Phindi Mjonondwane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), said that the charges against the accused include theft, fraud, and violations of both the Public Finance Management Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Mjonondwane further detailed how the procurement process was manipulated. A public tender was advertised on February 10, 2017, calling for proposals to support the integration of small and medium waste enterprises into Gauteng's waste management economy. Ten companies responded, including Enviro Mobi, which allegedly lacked the necessary experience and technical capacity to fulfil the tender's requirements.'Enviro Mobi was awarded the tender despite serious shortcomings,' Mjonondwane explained. 'The State alleges that Makwana, Mbassa, and Ismail facilitated the unlawful appointment of Enviro Mobi, represented by Pule Mabe. At the time, the company reportedly denied any links to government officials or members of Parliament.' Mabe had served as director of Enviro Mobi from 2010 to 2014 and was a signatory on the business account of KGP Media Holdings, one of the companies charged in the case. Both Star Mass Direct and KGP Media Holdings — formerly known as Kariki Media Holdings and Groen Mintirho, respectively — are also facing charges. The SIU and Hawks allege that from March 2017 onwards, Enviro Mobi submitted invoices exceeding R26 million with no accompanying documentation to verify the completion of work or delivery of services. Prominent defence attorney Zola Majavu is representing Mabe, his wife, and their companies. Neither the accused nor their legal representatives made public comments following the postponement on Tuesday. The next court appearance on July 7 is expected to bring further clarity, with the potential for a trial date to be set depending on the State's readiness and finalisation of charges. The case has drawn significant attention given Mabe's previous high-profile role in South African politics and the growing scrutiny over government procurement processes.
