Mthatha Express North - E-Edition - 16 July 2026

Hawksconvictburial societyfraudsters

THE Mthatha-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) of the Hawks has secured the conviction of four former employees of Thuso Fund Burial Society on charges of fraudatthe Mthatha SpecialisedCommercial Crimes Court last week.

Spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant OfficerNdiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said the accused —Nandipha Mfobeza (52),Busisiwe Nondudule(52),Faniswa Nobambela (44) and Nommiselo Solani (47) —were implicated in asophisticated internal fraud scheme that resulted in their employer sufferingafinancial loss of R800,000.

“The matter originated from acase reported by the complainant on behalf of Thuso Fund BurialSociety, headquartered in Orkney, NorthWest Province, and wassubsequentlyreferred to the Hawks for further investigation. During May2025, the organisation detected irregularitiesinvolvingbank deposit slips submitted by fourEastern Cape branches,” said Mhlakuvana.

He addedthat acomprehensive forensic audit and reconciliation of First National Bank (FNB) deposit records against the company’s official bank statements revealed that severaldeposit slips submitted by employees at the Mthatha Main Branch were fraudulent.

Mhlakuvana addedthat the investigation established that the deposit slips reflected

transactions that werenever credited into the company’sbank account, thereby concealing the unlawful misappropriation of company funds.

As aresult, the burial societyincurred a financial loss of R800,000.

“Following ameticulous investigation by the Hawks, warrantsofarrest wereauthorised by the court on 18 February 2026.

“All four accused werearrested and appeared before the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on the same day. They wereeach released on bail of R1,500 and subsequently made several court appearances before the matter was finalised.”

Mhlakuvana said the court convicted all four accused on charges of fraud and imposed the following sentences. Mfobeza and Nondudule wereeach sentenced to pay afine of R40,000 or undergo three years’ direct imprisonment Nobambelawas sentenced to pay afine of R35,000 or undergo three years’ direct imprisonment Solani was sentenced to pay afine of R30,000 or undergo three years’ direct imprisonment.

“In addition, the court ordered all four convicted persons to immediately pay R5,000 each towards compensation and thereafter make monthly instalments of R1,500 as directed by the court, commencing on or before 31 July2026, until the outstanding amount has been settled.”

BoostforMbhasheLocal MunicipalitySMMEs,co-ops

MBHASHE Local Municipality hassupported localSMMEs, cooperativesand farmers with tools of trade to the value of more than R400,000 at two separate events.

Theinitiativewas aimedataddressing key challenges facing local businesses and farmers, including limited access to essential resources, funding opportunities and business development skills, enabling them to grow sustainable enterprises and create employment opportunities withintheir communities

Themunicipality has identified SMME and cooperative supportasa key pillar of its localeconomicdevelopment programme.

Thelocalauthority said its IDPlisted agriculture, tourism,construction,the manufacturing sector andretailasareas that have economic potential forthe region.

Social servicesand small enterprise developmentwere other contributorsto Mbhashe’s grossdomestic product. The municipality identified thatthe existing potentialinthese comparative and competitive advantages hadnot yetbeen realised;asaresult, more needed to be invested in unleashing the potential for localeconomicdevelopment benefits

Speaking at the handover in Dutywa, ExecutiveMayor Dr Samkelo Jandasaid the beneficiaries had been givenanopportunity to apply so that the municipality couldhelp their businessesgrow. Janda encouraged localbusinessestowork together, adding that they could find markets among themselves if theysupported eachother.

“Today we are investing in the future of our localeconomy.These tools arenot just equipment but also an opportunity forour entrepreneurs andfarmers to grow their businesses, create jobs andimprovethe lives of their communities. We hope their businesses will grow so we can fight povertyand sufferinginthe areas where we reside,” said Janda.

Atotalofseven beneficiariesbenefit-

ed in the two-prongedprogramme.The equipment received, tailoredfor specific businesses,includedautomotive diagnostic andrepair tools,poultry farming equipment andagricultural machinery andequipment to strengthen crop production. It was budgeted at R412,794. One of the cooperativesisowned by five young people,while the other is runby sixwomen

PortfolioHeadofDevelopmentPlanning,CouncillorNomvuyiseko Mgedezi, andwardcouncillors were amongthose presentatthe event. Theinitiativeaims to equiplocal entrepreneurs andagricultural producers with the resourcesthey need to grow their businesses whileaddressing challengessuch as limited access to equipment, funding andbusiness development support,the municipality said Khanyisa Bele of M&BProjects runs a chicken farm andanabattoir supplying the local Spar andschools with broiler chickens. “Wereceived freezers that usebothelectricity andgas.Theywill come in handy during electricity outages andhelpsave ourchickens. We also gotequipment to help grow ourchickens, as we have asection of the business that focuses on growing broiler chickens. We encourage farmerstocollaborate with us so we canhelpeachother find ourrespective markets,”she said

From Elite Auto Electrical andAlarms, SiphoRulumenisaidhewas grateful to the municipalityfor the opportunityto grow hisbusiness. He said the equipment will help puthis business on another level as growth was hindered by alackof such tools

“The potential foragriculture, manufacturing, retail andmotor services co-operativesand SMMEshas notbeenrealised as theylackcapacityand marketing capabilities.Theyare without tools of trade,money,accesstofunding opportunities andbusinessskills. Hence, there is reason forthe MbhasheLocal Municipality to start assisting themwith tools of trade,” amunicipal concept document said

Progressmadeineradicationofpitlatrinesinschools

MANDLENKOSI MXENGI

EASTERN Cape Department ofEducation (ECDoE) MEC Fundile Gadehas welcomed theprogress made on the completion of the pitlatrine eradication project identified throughthe 2018 SanitationAppropriate for Education(SAFE)initiative auditbacklog.

TheDepartmentofBasic Education (DBE) MinisterSiviwe Gwarube announced the full completionofall pit toileteradication projects identified through the SAFE initiativeaudit backlog during her school infrastructureand sanitationoversight visit to Dimbaza PrimarySchooloutside Qonce earlier this week.

Speaking during her schoolsanitation visitatDimbaza Primary School in the BuffaloCityeducation district, Gwarube confirmed that all 3,372 schoolsidentified in the 2018 SAFE audit have wb

safer sanitation facilities, while morethan 48,000 teachers now work in healthier and more dignified environments,” said Gwarube.

Responding to Gwarube’s announcement, MEC Gade welcomed the report detailing the successful completion of the SAFE initiativeaimed at the eradication of pit toilets inschools throughout the Eastern Cape andother rural provinces.

“As the ECDoE, we extend our gratitude to the Department of Basic Education for instituting the SAFE Initiative since its initial 2018 proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa.This initiative has substantiallyelevatedthe dignity, security and scholastic environment forlearners and educators by replacing perilous pit latrines with suitable sanitation facilities,”saidGade.

However,Gadenoted that while the SAFE initiativehas concluded the projects identified inits prelimina assessments, ther

provides an opportunity forustoshowcase progress made by the ECDoE in eradicating unsafe pit latrines in the province, while also outlining remaining challenges and future plans,” added Gade.

TheECDoEhas been allocated R2 billion forthe current financial year towards the schools’ pit toilet eradication project.

Theuntimely death of young learners, Michael Komape, Lumka Mkhethwa and Langalam Viki, remains aconstant reminder about pit toilets and unsafe sanitation facilities in schools.

Gwarube emphasised that theannouncement confirms the successful completion of the backlog identified through the2018 SAFE Initiative audit and does not suggest that every pit toilet in the country has disappeared.

She noted that some schools may have

developed sanitation challenges after the original 2018 audit,others may have been unintentionally omitted, while some communities have retained old pit toilet structures despite receiving new facilities.

“I am pleased to announce that we have reached 100% completion of the2018 SanitationAppropriate forEducation (SAFE) Initiativebacklog. We have ensured that every school identified in theoriginal 2018 audit as having unsafe pit toiletshas now received safe and appropriate sanitation facilities,” said Gwarube.

While celebrating this significant milestone, Gwarube noted that South Africa continues to face abroader school infrastructure backlog exceeding R120 billion, with many schools still requiring classrooms, libraries, laboratories, fencing and other essential facilities.

WinterCupmovestoButterworth

HOSEYAJUBASE

THE Winter Cup will be hostedinButterworthfor thefirst time on 25 and 26July2026 afterrelocating from its traditional home in Mthatha.

The founder of the Winter Cuptournament, Jongabantu Ngcuthushe, saidthe movewill not affect the logistics or standard of thetournament

Ngcuthushe said there is already strong in-

terest in Butterworth and the surrounding areasofMnquma Local Municipality, with a significantnumber of teams having registered toparticipate. Explaining the reasons behind the relocation, he said that the tournament is in the process of professionalising to alignwith national competitions. “Weare in the process of securingland forground facilities forabout foursporting codes,”Ngcuthushe said. “We are also in the process of developing the brand. We have been financially audited since2025

and now have an official website.Wemoved because we see development opportunities in other areas. We were never meant to settle within one region,” he added.

TheWinter Cup is currently regarded as one of the biggest and most respected tournaments in the Eastern Cape.This year will markthe sixth edition of the Winter Cup.

Ngcuthushe told the Mthatha Express that preparations are100% complete and that fixtures have already been finalised for the 2026 edition.

Sogcwayisuffersfirstprofessionaldefeat

HANNES SCHOEMAN

RISING Mdantsane boxing star, Sanele Sogcwayi, unexpectedly lost his undefeatedprofessional featherweight recordwhen he suffered hisfirst defeat against Zimbabwe’s Pritchard Dube at theGolden Gloves tournament at Emperor’sPalace last Saturday.

It was Sogcwayi’s first loss in six fights, while Dube only recorded his second win from six outings. Hisrisetostardom came to asudden standstillashedid not fire on all cylinders Withsuch apoor record, it was amuch-improved performancebythe Zimbabwean, who was awell-deserved winner.

Judge Duduzile Dlamini made thefight a draw at 56-56, while David VanNiewenhuizen (57-56) and Phumeza Zinakile (58-55) both voted Dube as thewinner.

Dube,who had little chance of upsetting the Mdantsaneboxer,was the aggressorthroughout andneverallowed Sogcwayi to take control. Forthe local boxer, it is now backtothe drawingboard to determine how he lost afight he was expected to win easily. However, Dube wasnot the only Zimbabweanfighter to shine. FemalestarMonica Mkandla produced the best performance ever by awoman in South Africa witha world-class performance to knock out Simamkele Tutsheni fromthe WesternCape in the sixth and final round Mkandlawas devastating with powerful punchesthat never allowed the highly-rated Capetonian to find her rhythm.She hasnow firmly crept into the hearts of thousands of SouthAfrican boxing fans, and it looks certain thatpromoter Rodney Berman will get her a titlefightsooner rather than later.

Dona Tournament adds women’s football

HOSEYAJUBASE

THE founder of Dona’s Tournament, Mpumzi “Dona” Siqwala, says the 2026 edition will be bigger and will prioritise giving young players the opportunity to compete alongside experienced players to accelerate their development. This year, the tournament will mark the third edition since it was launched in August 2024. tournament will also assist in the fightagainst teenage pregnancy; football shouldnot be only for men; women must also be included,” said Siqwala. “Sport is assisting alot in shaping the futureofyoung people, even myself. If it was not for football, Iwouldbe iphara today, but duetomyinvolvement in football, that did nothappen, and that is whyIamproud to give back to the community, because Iknow the

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Mnqumahosts coachinglicencecourse

ANELE RAZIYA

NOZULU YouthLegacy Cup (NYLC),inpartnershipwith Mnquma Local Football Association (Mnquma LFA), is once againhosting acoaching course in Butterworth to assist aspiringcoaches in obtaining their coaching badges.

Theorganisationhas announced that aCAF Clicence course will be hosted at the Walter Sisulu University Ibika campus in Mnquma in two phases. Thefirstphase will runfrom 22 to 29 September and the second phasefrom 10 to 16 November.

NYLC, Mnquma LFA and Walter Sisulu University areinviting all interested coaches to register for the course. Thecourse fee is R6,500. Coaches must hold aSAFA Dlicence coaching certificate, and will need acopy of their ID or passport(in colour), acoaching activity report, amedical certificate, atraining kit and asafeguarding certificate. For moreinformation, contact NYLC founder Luxolo Matikinca on 073 513 0549 or at luxmfoundation@gmail.com.

This will not be the firsttimeNYLC, Mnquma LFA and Walter Sisulu University have hosted this kind of event, as they do so annually to contribute to the development of sport in the province and beyond.

In previous years, the organisershosted aSAFA Dlicencecoaching course and other licences aimed at helping coaches obtain qualifications. Those eventswereattended by coaches who travelled from outside the province.