Thumeka Qongqo (44) and a juristic person (her company) Ogiyonke Construction were convicted for theft and money laundering by Mthatha High Court on Thursday, 20 May 2021.
The probe carried out by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team revealed that Thumeka and her company received two successive undue payments which amounted to R4,5 million into the business and personal accounts.
These undue payments were facilitated by the her convicted sister, Nyameka Qongqo (43) who was in the employ of OR Tambo District Municipality as an accountant. The transactions were made without any services rendered by the company nor the owner to the Oliver Regional Tambo Municipality.
The accountant at OR Tambo District Municipality, Nyameka was convicted and sentenced to15 years for fraud which runs concurrently with 10 years for money laundering after she pleaded guilty on the 25 March 2021. Meanwhile Nyameka’ s husband Thobani Ntshokovu (38) is also serving 5 year sentence, wholly suspended for his role in the saga. He was also ordered to pay R50 000-00 fine after pleading guilty in January 2020.
The owner and the juristic person decided to take the trial route which resumed on the 03 May 2021 which culminated in her conviction on 20 May 2021 for charges of theft and money laundering. The case against Thumeka and her company was remanded for 21 July 2021 for sentencing.
The Serious Corruption Investigation team of East London is once more lauded by the Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Obed Ngwenya for this tremendous effort exerted which led to their success in the matter.
