Fraudulent pastor repays almost R2million

The Special Investigating Unit has recovered just under R2million from a fraudulent Free State pastor and his partner.

A probe from the SIU revealed the the pair made a fraudulent claim from the Agriculture Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSeta) between 2016 and 2019.

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NON EXISTENT COMPANY DEFRAUDS THE STATE

In March 2015, pastor Lerato Raphael Mokoteli and Anthony Dywili fraudulently applied to AgriSeta for R1.9 million funding to provide training and mentoring in food garden operations in Kimberley.

In order to have a successful application and get the money, the pair claimed that their ‘company’ Business against Crime’ was in a joint venture with AgriSeta accredited company Dipalemo Training Strategic Services.

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However, there company did not exist nor did Diapalemo have knowledge of the application and receive any money from AgriSeta.

Break down of money received by Mokoteli and Dywili:

• R219 000 for training of 50 learners for a certificate in food competency.
• R381 564.86 for administration of training
• R600 000 of the funding was unspent and was not disclosed. A violation of the terms of the agreement.

The balance of the money, almost R320 000 was paid to a charity which is chaired by Dywili in July 2016. The probe revealed the charity’s account was only opened the month before.

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AGRISETA CEO IMPLICATED FOR FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES

The claim from AgriSeta  would be possible if it weren’t for the help of Jeremia Sello Madiba, AgriSeta chief executive officer.

Madiba was found to have flaunted tender processes. All three gave been charged with numerous counts of fraud and money laundering. Madiba is set to appear in court in August.

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Meanwhile Mokoteli entered into a guilty plea agreement with the State. Mokoteli pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering.

Mokoteli was sentenced to 10 years for fraud and five years for two counts of money laundering. The sentence was suspended for five years.