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- Expelled PAC president Luthando Mbinda's R2.4-million theft and fraud case has been postponed.
- Mbinda and his co-accused, Gcobani Katiya and Ramarumo Mfulwane, will be making representations to the NPA.
- The accused allegedly had no authority or permission from the NEC of the PAC to open any bank account in the name or on behalf of the party.
Expelled Pan Africanist Congress president Luthando Mbinda briefly appeared in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday on charges of fraud and theft amounting to R2.4 million.
Mbinda and his two accomplices - Gcobani Katiya, 53, and Ramarumo Mfulwane, 35 - allegedly plotted and conspired to access the PAC's Party Parliamentary Allowances and member subscriptions for their own personal benefit.
Elected political parties receive an allowance from Parliament on a quarterly basis, which is intended to assist them in meeting their financial obligations, including rental fees for constituency offices and salaries of support staff.
It is alleged that, on the 13 May 2017, after Mbinda was expelled from the party, he along with Katiya and Mfulane, went to Nedbank Durbanville and opened three bank accounts in the name of the PAC.
The accused allegedly informed the Finance Department of Parliament that funds owed to the PAC should be transferred to the Nedbank account and not the existing ABSA account on record for the party in Parliament.
The accused allegedly had no authority or permission from the NEC of the PAC to open any bank account in the name or on behalf of the PAC.
READ | Expelled PAC president Luthando Mbinda in dock for allegedly defrauding party out of millions
Nedbank in Durbanville, on the request of the accused, opened the bank accounts on 31 July 2017.
Signatories on the account were Katiya, in his capacity as secretary of the PAC; Mbinda, in his capacity as party chairperson; and Mfulwane, in his capacity as treasurer.
However, according to the party, Mbinda had been expelled from the PAC with immediate effect from 14 June 2017, while Katiya and Mfulwane had never held their alleged positions in the party.
According to the charge sheet, Mbinda had disputed his expulsion and proceeded with his functions as a member of the National Assembly.
The bank accounts allegedly opened by the accused were fraudulent and they had attempted to steal the funds meant for the party.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the case had been postponed to 2 August for the accused to make representations to the NPA.
