By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The corruption case against former African National Congress (ANC) spokersperson Pule Mabe, and six co-accused has been postponed to 28 May 2026.
Mabe and co-accused appeared at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
These included his wife, Mmatlhekelo Elsie Mabe; business associate, Tinyiko Mahuntsi; and four former senior officials from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development: former heads of department Thandeka Mbassa and Matilda Gasela, ex-chief financial officer Abdullah Mohamed Ismail, and former chief director Loyiso Mkwana.
All the suspects remain out on R30 000 bail.
Two companies — KG Media (trading as Enviro-Mobi) and Star Mass Direct (trading as Kariki Media Holdings) — are also charged.
The accused face charges of fraud, theft, and violations of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
The case stems from a R27 million tender awarded in 2017 to Enviro-Mobi by the Gauteng Agriculture and Rural Development Department.
During the proceedings, the State told the court that it is still awaiting the outcomes from senior prosecuting authorities, including the Gauteng head of the Specialised Crime Unit and the Johannesburg Director of Public Prosecutions, regarding representations made by the accused.
Prosecutor Magdeline Montwedi-McLean told the court that the process is nearly complete, with only final approvals outstanding.
The DPP has considered all the submissions… however the sign-off is still being awaited. Mr Livingstone Sakata… has to sign off the review decision that has been made,” she said, adding that a short postponement was requested to finalise the outcomes.”
The Magistrate granted the postponement.
Speaking outside court, Mabe welcomed the State’s indication that decisions would be ready at the next hearing but warned against further delays.
“Our senior counsel… indicated in court that this is the final postponement… otherwise… we will have to exercise other platforms allowable in law,” he said.