Nelson Mandela Bay Deputy Mayor to Stand Trial Over Cyber Fraud Allegations

Deputy Mayor To Face Fraud Trial In 2026

Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Gary van Niekerk will stand trial in May 2026 after the court dismissed his attempt to halt a fraud case linked to his time as council speaker.

Van Niekerk appeared briefly in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gqeberha on Monday, where it was confirmed that the case would proceed. He faces charges of contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and alleged cyber-fraud tied to the irregular appointment of legal firms in 2022.

According to the charge sheet, Van Niekerk allegedly approved payments amounting to over R570,000 for legal advice without following municipal procurement procedures. His lawyer, Danie Gouws, submitted written representations in October, but prosecutors have since opted to move forward with prosecution.

Allegations Date Back To His Time As Council Speaker

The charges stem from Van Niekerk’s tenure as council speaker, before he went on to serve as mayor in 2023 and later as deputy mayor.

An internal municipal investigation previously found that he had violated the councillor code of conduct and certain provisions of the MFMA. These findings were later referred to the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs for review.

Van Niekerk has maintained his innocence, insisting that he acted within the bounds of his office and that the payments in question were made in good faith to expedite municipal matters.

A Pattern Of Legal Setbacks

The fraud case isn’t the only legal challenge facing the deputy mayor. Last month, Van Niekerk was found guilty of contempt of court after failing to attend a scheduled council meeting.

At the time, he was abroad in Germany, claiming he was on official business. The court disagreed and imposed a R2,000 fine.

The ruling marked another setback for Van Niekerk, who has faced scrutiny over his conduct since stepping into leadership positions within the metro.

What Happens Next

With the trial date set for May 2026, Van Niekerk is expected to continue serving as deputy mayor while preparing his defence. The state has indicated that it will present evidence of procedural breaches and irregular authorisations made under his watch as council speaker.

For the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, the case adds further strain to an already turbulent political landscape. As the metro grapples with governance instability, all eyes will be on how the court proceedings unfold and what they reveal about accountability within local government.

{Source:IOL}

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