A well-known Limpopo businessman who is facing charges of tender fraud, theft and forgery has been granted permission to travel overseas to finalise his business deals.
Matome Sefalafala of Falaz General Trading and Construction through, his lawyer, applied for permission before the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court to have his passport back in order to travel and finalise his business deals in China.
Sefalafala and former Lepelle Northern Water (LWN) CEO Phineas Legodi, chairperson of the Bid Evaluation Committee Ngwako Moseamedi, Gumani Gangashe, Mpho Chokolo and Vusi Mhlongo appeared in court on Monday on charges related to a R45m waste-collection tender awarded to Falaz in 2018.
The state alleges that Sefalala’s company submitted forged documents for the tender.
In his application for leave to travel, Sefalafala’s attorney, Abrie van der Merwe, told the court: “The accused is applying to retrieve his passport from the investigating officer as he needs to travel to China. He has business deals to finalise and he is wanted in person in order to conclude such.”
Van der Merwe said Sefalala would return his passport to the officer on his return from his trip.
“Details of the trip, including flight, accommodation and date of return, will be shared with the investigating officer,” he said.
State witness, investigating officer Thomas Sefamane, didn’t oppose Sefalafala’s application, saying he was not a flight risk and had never contravened any of his bail conditions.
“The accused has been reporting to the station according to his bail condition. I don’t regard him as a flight risk,” he said.
The court granted Sefalafala’s application and postponed the matter to January for the state to hand over the contents of the docket to the defence.
Prosecutor Nketheni Mudau didn’t oppose the application either.
All the accused are out on bail ranging between R1,000 and R20,000.
Sefalala, Legodi and former police officer Gideon Matlala are expected to return next month in the Polokwane Commercials Crimes Court on charges of kidnapping, extortion and corruption.
Their arrest follows the alleged kidnapping of acting Lepelle Northern Water CEO Ahuiwi Netshidaulu on November 18 2020, allegedly by Matlala, who was then with the Mamelodi police station.
NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said in December last year Matlala was arrested by the Organised Crime unit in Gauteng.
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