Former Minister faces kickback charges
In exchange for unlawfully influencing the purchase of an ultra-sound machine which was bought at an inflated price in 2007, former KwaZulu Natal health MEC, Peggy Nkonyeni (47) allegedly received a 'minimum' reward of R20 000 and free luxurious accommodation at a five-star Cape hotel, according to a report in The Witness.
The money was allegedly deposited into Nkonyeni's bank account in August 2007. This is alleged by the state in its charge sheet before the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court where Nkonyeni and two co-accused - businessman, Henry Lindelihlwe Mkhwanazi (39) and Mduduzi Ntshangase (44) - appeared for trial yesterday. Regional Magistrate, Chris van Vuuren granted a state request to postpone the trial until 12 June in order to obtain a fresh affidavit from a 'crucial witness'. Nkonyeni and Mkhwanazi both faces charges of corruption, Mkhwanazi and Ntshangase are charged with fraud and Ntshangase (accounting officer and head of the supply chain at the Health Department) is also charged for a contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. Full report in The Witness See also a Beeld report