MEC at the centre of legal fees scam

MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Alvin Botes has no knowledge of a fraudulent transaction which took place using his name. Picture: Soraya Crowie/Diamond Fields Advertiser

MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Alvin Botes has no knowledge of a fraudulent transaction which took place using his name. Picture: Soraya Crowie/Diamond Fields Advertiser

Published Jan 23, 2017

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Kimberley – The police have requested more time before they are able to provide additional details on a fraud case where a Kimberley businessman, who is involved in the construction industry, was allegedly duped by an imposter into handing over a sum of R500 000, to apparently assist the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Alvin Botes, with his legal fees.

The funds never reached its intended destination.

The case was registered with the police and brought to the attention of the Provincial Commissioner on June 5 2014.

The complainant, in a police statement, indicated that a man had called him and told him that the MEC had sent him to collect money from him, and that he handed over a sum of R500 000.

The complainant only realised that the MEC had never called him after approaching him at one of his court appearances, where the MEC informed him that he had never sent anyone to collect money on his behalf.

It is believed that the money was used to purchase a car.

Up until now it appears as if no arrests have been made while it is unclear what progress has been made on the case.

Spokesperson for the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Xhanti Teki, indicated that Botes had been advised about the fraud charges where his identity was falsely used by a member of the public to syphon money for personal gain.

“The MEC was advised of this unfortunate, parasitic and unscrupulous act by a member of the public. He further requested and directed the complainant to lay criminal charges against this member of public, which according to his knowledge was done to the Hawks,” said Teki.

“Botes hopes that the alleged perpetrator will appear in a criminal court in the near future.”

Teki pointed out that Botes regarded himself as a “dependable ally in the fight against fraud and corruption”.

“This he has proved through reporting possible fraudulent practices in municipalities such as Nama Khoi and Kheis to the SAPS, where the former municipal manager Aubrey Baartman, who is the EFF provincial leader, has been implicated in fraud charges to the value of R353 500. The MEC commits to endure in this particular fight.”

The Hawks referred media enquiries to the SAPS, who in turn stated that they would provide a detailed report on the matter on Monday

The accused in the multimillion-rand Trifecta trial, Botes, who was the then MEC for Social Development, former ANC provincial chairperson John Block, the CEO of the Trifecta group of companies, Christo Scholtz, and the former HOD for the Department of Social Development, the late Yolanda Botha, were billed huge legal fees during the course of the lengthy trial that has yet to be finalised.

Botes was acquitted of all charges in October 2015 while Botha died in December 2014 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

As of July 2014, provincial government had footed Botha’s legal bill to the tune of R121 819.26.

This is despite concerns from a legal adviser in the Premier’s Office regarding why the Department of Social Development was paying more for consultations and the perusal of documents and that there was missing information on the invoices including dates, record keeping and costing.

An amount of R86 906,25 was queried as to what exactly the consultation entailed, while it was highlighted that 17 hours of consultation for a bail application was “excessive”.

The Premier’s Office did not provide any information on whether the legal fees of the other accused were paid by the state.

The two remaining accused, Block and Scholtz, were in December last year each sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for unduly benefiting from government leases that were signed with Trifecta.

Their application for leave to appeal both the conviction and sentencing will be heard in the Northern Cape High Court on February 6.

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