PSL GM IN HOF FOR FRAUD

The General Manager of the Premier Soccer League and his wife yesterday appeared in the Bellville Magistrates Court in Cape Town on fraud and money laundering charges. 

Andile "Ace" Ncobo, a former Fifa referee, and his wife, Salome, 47, are alleged to have defrauded millions of rands from a project in the Eastern Cape. 

The duo made a brief appearance and appeared elegantly dressed in the dock as they were formally charged. 

The court granted the couple bail. Ace was granted R50 000 bail while his wife was granted R30 000 bail. 

The matter has been an ongoing investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks) for over a decade. 

The provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, Warrant Officer Zinzi Hani, said it is reported that the duo allegedly conned PetroSA by claiming that Gangatha Junior Secondary School (JSS) required infrastructure. 

Hani explains: “They submitted proposals supported by forged trust deeds and donor documentation, creating a false impression that Gangatha Projects, a non-registered entity, was a legitimate channel for school development. PetroSA, relying on these presentations, paid R13 million to Gangatha JSS. The trust deed associated with… Gangatha Building Trust was not registered, and the signatures were allegedly falsified,” Hani said. 

She said the Gangatha Project bank account received approximately R13 million. 

Hani adds: “The scheme was executed through the submission of falsified documents, creation of fictitious or unregistered entities, and subsequent laundering of the proceeds through a personal account,” Hani said. 

In a statement made on Facebook, Ncobo said he believed this was a malicious prosecution and they welcomed the decision by the National Prosecuting Authorities to carry out its constitutional duties without favour. 

He writes: “We appreciate the overwhelming messages of support and wish to assure our family, friends, and the supportive public that their support is not misplaced. We have never been involved in any criminal conduct in all the projects our company did. All projects we were appointed to do were completed in record time and to the highest standards.