Trio accused of defrauding KPMG of R16 million intends to plead not guilty
On Thursday, former bursary specialist at KPMG, Fidelis Moema appeared alongside Trevor Machimana and Lebogang Sigubudu at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for their bail applications.
On 18 April 2024, former bursary specialist at KPMG, Fidelis Moema appeared alongside Trevor Machimana and Lebogang Sigubudu at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for their bail applications. Picture: Thabiso Goba/ Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The three men accused of defrauding auditing firm KPMG of over R16 million say they intend on pleading not guilty.
It’s alleged former bursary specialist at the company, Fidelis Moema diverted money meant for students to himself and his accomplices.
On Thursday, Moema, Trevor Machimana and Lebogang Sigubudu appeared at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for their bail applications.
The State said Moema’s modus operandi was to send KPMG’s money to his friend’s companies and then transfer it to him while keeping a small portion for themselves.
Machimana, who is accused number two in this case, says he met Moema in 2017 and they struck up a personal and professional relationship.
In his affidavit, Machimana said around 2021, Moema asked for bank details of his businesses and started sending money to them.
Machimana said he found out when Nedbank told him it was freezing his accounts due to suspicious transactions.
The State, however, has rejected Machimana’s version of events saying he never reported any of this to the police.
The state prosecutor said Fidelis Moema used his ex-girlfriends to launder money.
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) April 18, 2024
He would make them start companies, open accounts and divert money there.
The prosecutor said those girlfriends have made police statements against against Fidelis and are now state witnesses. TCG