NPA remains confident it has a strong case against Pule Mabe
Mabe, alongside six co-accused, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates facing charges of fraud and corruption.
FILE: Former African National Congress spokesperson Pule Mabe has stepped aside from the party’s National Executive Committee following fraud and corruption charges. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remains confident that its case against former African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson, Pule Mabe, was strong despite delays in taking the matter to trial.
Mabe, alongside six co-accused, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court, facing charges of fraud and corruption.
He’s accused of benefiting from an irregularly awarded R27 million tender scored by his Enviromobi company in 2017.
Mabe was arrested in October last year, but over six months later, there has been little progress in his fraud and corruption case.
The court initially granted him a six-month postponement, but he was on Tuesday granted an additional three-month remand for his new attorney to familiarise himself with the docket.
NPA spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane, said that despite these delays, the case against the former ANC spokesperson was watertight.
"From our side as the NPA, we are ready to proceed to the next stage of the case, which is the trial process. However, before the trial begins, we will be going through the process called case management. So from our side as the State, we are ready and we have disclosed the contents of the docket."
As a result of these charges, Mabe has had to give up his positions in all leadership roles within the ANC, in line with the party’s step-aside rule.