NPA requests more time to finalise charge sheet in corruption case against Pule Mabe, co-accused

JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has requested more time to finalise its charge sheet in the corruption case involving former African National Congress (ANC) national spokesperson Pule Mabe.

Mabe, along with his six co-accused persons, briefly appeared at the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, on Tuesday morning.

They all face a combined 16 counts of fraud, money laundering, and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act.

The charges relate to a R27 million tender scored by Mabe’s company, Enviro Mobi, in 2017 to supply 200 three-wheeler motorbikes to the City of Ekurhuleni.

The matter was back in court after a three-month break for the NPA to provide additional documents requested by the defence.

State prosecutor Magdaline Montwedi-Mclean said all requested documents were presented to the defence except for the final charge sheet.

"The State has since furnished all the accused with the charge sheet, which was furnished with the copies of the docket. That was the State’s first draft of the charge sheet.

"The State is still in the process of finalising the charge sheet and would like to give this charge sheet before the next date."

The defence lawyers have requested to be given the final charge sheet at least a week before the next court appearance.

The matter has been postponed to 7 July.