Former employees in the Mpumalanga Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, Godfrey Mthokozi Mchunu, 54, and Skhumbuzo Arthur Nkosi, 48, have appeared in court on charges of fraud and money laundering.
Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Warrant Officer Thandi Tshabalala said the two former government officials appeared in court alongside Mduduzi Steven Mashwana, 43, sole director of MPG Mash Trading. The trio appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
The three accused men were arrested by the Nelspruit-based serious commercial crime investigation for fraud and money laundering.
“It is alleged that Ingogo Communal Property Association submitted a land claim for a land portion in certain farms situated in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality, Gert Sibande District, which was successful. Ingogo further made an application to be assisted with farming equipment by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform,” said Tshabalala.
“Mchunu, in his capacity as a Senior Project Manager, was appointed to facilitate the application on behalf of Ingogo Communal Property Association. Mchunu and Nkosi forged a letter as a resolution from Ingogo appointing MPG Mash Trading as the service provider for the farming equipment.”
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The Hawks said Mchunu even reported to the national office of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform that the farming equipment was delivered to Ingogo by the service provider.
“An amount of R1,358,040 was paid by the department into Mashwana’s First National Bank business account. Mashwana withdrew an amount of R200 000 and gave it to Mchunu as gratification. He further transferred R700,000 into the trust account belonging to Nkosi,” said Tshabalala.
Both Mchunu and Nkosi have since resigned from the department.
Nkosi was imprisoned in 2023 for a separate land claim issue.
Tshabalala said the matter was postponed to Monday 17 March for formal bail application.
IOL