Former Transport Minister recalled from top post

Fraud and corruption accused and former Transport Minister, Sbu Ndebele, has been quietly recalled as SA’s High Commissioner to Australia. In papers filed at the Constitutional Court by the Transport Department in its battle against Tasima, a company that allegedly paid Ndebele a R10m bribe in 2010 for the illegal extension of its more than R2bn contract, the department reveals that Ndebele is no longer serving in Canberra, says a BDlive report. The papers said Ndebele ‘was recalled most recently as a result of the indictment’ in connection with the alleged bribe. Details of Ndebele’s recalling are part of the department’s bid to ask the Constitutional Court to allow it to appeal a December judgment of the SCA that favoured Tasima. Ndebele, a member of the ANC national executive committee, was indicted in December for allegedly accepting R10m from companies linked to Tasima through his Investec Bank account in 2010. He appeared in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court on charges of fraud, corruption and money-laundering. He is out on R10 000 bail. Also facing similar charges are his DG at the time, George Mahlalela, and Tasima. Clayson Monyela, International Relations and Co-operation Department spokesperson, would not confirm nor deny his recall.