Co-accused must still answer

On July 15 2015, then Eastern Cape social development boss Stanley Khanyile signed an agreement with a company to establish a women empowerment centre in Lusikisiki.

The entity was to be a socioeconomic empowerment hub for rural women. It was to provide skills development programmes and other upliftment initiatives.

The company chosen was uMnotho Development, owned by one Poovandaren Chetty, a businessman from Durban. The National Prosecuting Authority believes Khanyile did everything possible to ensure that it was Chetty’s enterprise that got the tender.

Prosecutors believe Khanyile used his power as head of department to enforce his wishes, breaking laws and standard regulations that obliged him to adhere to competitive bidding processes. They charge that he even forged information on documents to create an appearance of legitimacy to the process.

In the end, Chetty got the tender and appears to have gone on a shopping spree, buying, among other things, a diamond ring, a Rolex watch, a Ferrari luxury car and even paying some money towards a Porsche.

For this reason, Khanyile, Chetty and another co-accused, Vuyokazi Sangoni, were arrested in August. Khanyile was charged with contravening the Public Management Act and fraud, while Chetty was charged with theft and money laundering.

They were released on bail and were to appear in court again on October 16.

Nearly two months after his arrest, Khanyile – now the Sedibeng municipal manager – was found dead in his car, which was parked at a shopping mall in Alberton, Gauteng. At least six bullets had been pumped into him in a shooting on Saturday that had all the hallmarks of an organised hit.

Who may have wanted Khanyile dead is unclear at this stage. However, it is difficult not to wonder if his killing had anything to do with the case against him and his co-accused.

That the three of them were due back in court in less than two weeks raises even further questions about the motive behind his murder. Regardless, the NPA believes the case against his co-accused remains strong.

We hope that ultimately his killers as well as those responsible for stealing millions of rand meant to empower poor women are brought to book.