Mthatha Express North - E-Edition - 30 April 2026

CourtordersR632kassetforfeitureinestatefraudcase

THE AssetForfeiture order was secured by the Directorate for PriorityCrime Investigation together with the National Prosecuting Authority, in amatter involving fraudand unlawful deprivation of rightful beneficiaries of a deceased estate.

The order was significantly grantedbythe MthathaHighCourt on April 21, 2026. Hawksspokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, said it is allegedthatin June 2024,Nomvo Yako (41), asister of thedeceased,deliberatelyand unlawfully misrepresented material facts when applyingfor aLet-

ter of Authority at the Master of High Court in Mthatha “In herapplication,she reportedly concealed theexistence of the deceased’schildren as the lawful beneficiaries of the estate. It is further alleged thatthe accused falsely declared that her late brother had no dependants. Subsequently,the culprit reportedly obtained the Letter of Authority and proceeded to lodgea claim with the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) fromwhich she unlawfully receivedanamount of R59 900.71, in addition to accruedinterest of R76 996.33.

“The fundswere deposited into aFirst Na-

tional Bank estate account,” saidMhlakuvana.

He added that the case was reported to the Mthatha Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation and subsequently referred to the Hawks’ PCSI fora comprehensive financial investigation. According to Mhlakuvana, investigations revealed that the accused ostensibly extended her fraudulent conduct to the Department of Health by approaching Isilimela Hospital in Port St Johns, where the deceased had been employed and claimed leave gratuity of R32 998.95, which was paid into her personal account.

“The total proceedsofunlawful activities,

Municipalitysupportssmallbusinesses

BABALWA NDLANYA

IN asignificant step toward strengthening small businesses and fosteringinclusive economicgrowth, the Mayor of Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality in Ngcobo, Councillor Siyabulela Zangqa, officially handed overessential trading equipment to 65 localhawkersinNgcobo operatingacross varioussectors

Aspokespersonfor Dr AB XumaLocal Municipality, Zintle Bobelo, said these includefast food services, sewing enterprises, trolleyoperations andsalon services, allofwhichplayan important role in supporting everyday livelihoods within thecommunity

“The initiative was implementedthrough the Municipality’s Local Economic Development (LED)Unit, Special Programmes Unitand the Ngcobo Hawkers Association. It reflects the Municipality’s continued efforts to support small-scale businesses and expand economic opportunities for localresidents,” Bobelo said.

Sheadded that through the provisionofessentialequipment,the programme is designed to help hawkers strengthen their daily oper-

ations,grow their customer base, andbuild more sustainable sources of income. Beneficiaries expressed optimism about the opportunitiesthe support will unlock, particularly in enablingthem to expand their services and attract more customers.

“Addressing the recipients, Zangqa emphasisedthe importance of using the equipment responsibly and effectively. He encouraged beneficiariestoview the support notonly as assistance but also as an investment in their futuregrowth and sustainability. The handover marksPhase One of the Municipality’s broader empowerment programme. Officials confirmedthat plans are already in placeto extend the initiative in the upcoming financial year, ensuring thathawkerswho were notincludedinthis phase will have an opportunity to benefit in the next round,” Bobelo said.

Sheadded that this was not the first timethe municipality has implemented suchaninitiative. Shesaid the Municipality has consistentlydemonstrated its commitment to supporting anddeveloping small businesses within its jurisdiction.

“This support is ongoing and includes the provision of agricultural inputs, workshop capacity-building sessions and assistance throughtrading essentials and equipment. We recognise the importance of sustainability and have put measures in place to monitor supported projects. Follow-up processes areconducted to encouragecompliance and theappropriate use of the resources provided.”

Bobelo added thatthis is part of abroader, ongoing programme of support. Themunicipality has continuously rolled out initiatives aimed at empowering small businessesacross various sectors.

According to her, beneficiariesoftheseprogrammes include local spaza shop owners, small-scale farmers, as wellasyouth-owned and women-owned businesses.

“The municipality strongly discourages any misuse of the supportprovided.These resources are intended to empower beneficiariesand promote sustainablelivelihoods withinthe community.Beneficiaries are encouraged to utilise the equipment and materials responsiblyfor theirintended purpose, as this notonly

amounting to R632 533.52, have since been subjected to aforfeiture order and will be redirected to the rightful beneficiaries, which arethe children of the deceased, who wereintentionally prejudiced by the accused’sactions.The accused is scheduled to reappear in courton May 29, 2026, where criminal proceedings will continue.”

TheProvincial Head of the Hawks,Major General ObedNgwenya expressed his gratitude to both criminaland financial investigators for ensuring that fundswhich were intended for the deceased children have been returned to the lawful recipients