By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The fraud case against Murunwa Makwarela, former Tshwane Mayor and Congress of the People councillor, has been postponed to the 17th of May.
Makwarela appeared briefly on Tuesday in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court facing two counts of fraud.
This was Makwarela’s second appearance after he was charged with fraud and uttering.
The first charge is in relation to submitting a fake insolvency rehabilitation certificate, and the second refers to the more than R1.4 million that he was paid when he was still employed as speaker and councillor at the City of Tshwane.
Makwarela failed to declare to the Electoral Commission of South Africa and the City of Tshwane that his estate was placed under final sequestration on 8 August 2016, that he had not been rehabilitated yet, and that he was ineligible to be elected as a councillor during the 2021 municipal elections.
In a brief appearance, Makwarela’s attorney, Godfrey Manganye, asked the court for a postponement as he had been struggling to get hold of his client.
The prosecution team did not oppose the postponement.
It was also revealed in court that Makwarela’s lawyers had not received financial instructions, meaning they had not been paid.
“The matter is postponed to May 17 for consultation and financial instruction,” said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.