Tag: Lesiba Gwangwa

Police close roads ahead of Malema’s court appearance

Julius Malema
Julius Malema

Roads leading to the Polokwane Regional Court were closed on Wednesday as police monitored the situation ahead of the appearance of expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.

There was barbed wire outside the court and police Nyalas were positioned in various places surrounding the court. Police patrolled the road.

Scores of Malema supporters sang and danced outside the courthouse and the crowd was expected to swell as the day progressed.

The media had set up equipment on roads leading to the court.

Malema was expected to hand himself over to the police before his appearance on charges of money-laundering involving R4 million.

Four other people, including Malema’s business associate Lesiba Gwangwa, appeared in court on Tuesday on charges including fraud and corruption.

It is alleged that the four misrepresented themselves to the Limpopo department of roads and transport in respect of a R52 million tender, which was awarded to On-Point Engineers.

The fraud charges also relate to designs owned by the department. – Sapa

Malema’s business partner to appear in Pietersburg Magistrate’s Court

Expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema’s business partner Lesiba Gwangwa will appear in the Pietersburg (ANC name: Polokwane) Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Gwangwa, who is chief executive of On-Point Engineers, will appear on accusations of tender fraud with other Limpopo businessmen and government officials.

According to a City Press report, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has said Malema made millions from a R52 million fraudulent tender by On-Point Engineers.

The newspaper reported that Malema’s Ratanang Family Trust was one of two shareholders in On-Point.

Although Madonsela could not find any evidence that Malema interfered in the tender process, she found that he benefited “improperly” from the contract, City Press reported.

Her investigation found that On-Point acted corruptly.

Madonsela recommended that the tender be immediately cancelled, and that the National Prosecuting Authority and the Asset Forfeiture Unit consider criminal action and that the Master of the High Court investigate the flow of money into Malema’s trust.

Malema is scheduled to appear in the same court on Wednesday for alleged fraud and money-laundering related to the On-Point tender.

On Tuesday, the police cordoned off streets surrounding the courthouse.

The accused were to hand themselves over to the police before their court appearance.

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Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the police were implementing their security plan the day before Malema’s appearance.

He said they wanted to be prepared for a planned night vigil for Malema, and ensure people were safe. – Sapa