KPMG bursary fraud case: One of the accused's request to turn State witness declined
Moema along with his two accomplices, Trevor Machinana and Lebogang Sigubudu, are charged with several counts of fraud and money laundering.
Fidelis Moema and his co-accused at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on 18 April 2024. They are facing charges of fraud and money laundering after allegedly stealing money meant for bursary recipients during Moema's employment at KPMG. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The prosecution team in the R16 million KPMG bursary fraud case has revealed how one of the accused wanted to turn State witness against the alleged mastermind, Fidelis Moema.
Moema along with his two accomplices, Trevor Machinana and Lebogang Sigubudu, are charged with counts of fraud and money laundering.
It’s alleged that between 2019 and 2022, Moema used his position as KPMG bursary specialist to divert the company’s money towards himself and his friends instead of the intended student beneficiaries.
READ:Trio accused of defrauding KPMG of R16 million intends to plead not guilty
The trio appeared at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for their bail applications on Thursday.
Prosecutor Valencia Dube says the State rejected Machinana’s offer to turn state witness.
“The State has been approached by his legal counsel to become a possible Section 204 witness against accused number one [Moema] which is also confirmed in his bail application.
“However, the State has indicated we have more than enough evidence to secure a guilty conviction against accused number one. Therefore, this offer was declined and there is, however, a possibility of Section 105a agreements being made.”
431 CHARGES FOR MOEMA
Moema has been slapped with 431 counts of fraud, theft and money laundering.
In his bail affidavit, Moema says he intends on pleading not guilty to all charges against him.
However, the State is convinced it has a strong case against him.
Dube said Moema stole money that was supposed to benefit underprivileged tertiary students to further their studies.
“And he [Moema] used this money for his own extravagant needs and lifestyle - which he brazenly demonstrated to the entire country. This has no doubt caused a lot of attention on this case and the public needs this court to protect public interest, and to show the courts have zero tolerance against such crimes which are prevalent in our country.”
In a recent statement by KPMG, the company says all beneficiaries were awarded their bursaries despite Moema’s actions.