Former ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe appearing in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on graft charges, alongside six others.
The African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee member and former national spokesperson and National Executive Committee member, Pule Mabe, implemented the step-down policy on himself after has appearing in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on graft charges, alongside six others.
Mabe and his co-accused are charged with corruption in connection with a R27 million tender of Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development Department which was allegedly awarded unlawfully to his company Enviro Mobi in March 2017.
This in connection with a R27-million tender his company, Enviro Mobi, scored from the Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development Department in March 2017.
The tender was for the supply of 200 tuk-tuks “karikis" for waste pickers in Ekurhuleni.
He stepped down from his duties on the party's NEC after he was arrested for tender fraud.
Reportedly, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the Specialised Investigating Unit (SIU) to zoom into the controversial tender in 2021. This gave birth to reports that Enviro Mobi's appointment was irregular and recommended civil action be instituted against the company, and that the department open a criminal case of fraud.
Mabe was joined in the dock by Loyiso Mkwana, Thandeka Mbassa, Matilda Gasela and Adullah Mohamed Ismail - who were all working at the department at the time of the alleged offences - as well as Mabe's wife, Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe, and Enviro Mobi director Tinyiko Mahuntsi.
The accused are facing 29 charges of fraud, theft and contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), as well as the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
Mabe was granted a bail of R30 000 on Wednesday.
ANC Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula commended Mabe for adhering to the party’s step-aside policy.
"He has done the right thing to step aside voluntarily, as it would have been expected because the ANC has a policy that if you appear in court and if you are accused of graft, you need to step aside and face the challenges."
Former ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe in hot water.
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