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Businessman pleads not guilty to fraud

A PROMINENT businessman told the Bloemfontein High Court yesterday that there was nothing wrong with his employees signing quotations on his behalf using his name.

Kegomodicoe Lekone told the court that even though he and his twin brother Keabecoe did not sign documents claiming money for work they had done for the Mangaung municipality, there was nothing wrong with his employee signing on his behalf.

"I don't see anything wrong with that... and I would not say that was forgery. Somebody from our office who was responsible for doing quotations could have signed on our behalf and it did not bother me," said Lekone.

The twin brothers and former mayor Itumeleng Papie Mokoena, his wife Granny, former speaker Zongezile Zumane, former municipal manager Mojalefa Matlole, Evodia Kok, couple Mzwandile and Bridget Silwana, Motlalepule Thithi, cousins Givenchy and Letitia Hoffman and Buyelwa Khethelo have pleaded not guilty to a string of charges that include fraud, racketeering, theft and money laundering between 2000 and 2005.

Nontsapho Construction, Koena Food, Crystal Cave Trading 516, R and B Bed and Breakfast, Sinako Property and Juto Marketing are the six companies charged with the accused.

Lekone, 38, said he had various catering events for the municipality and the provincial government without following tender processes.

"I have never received any tender from the municipality and government departments. I knew nothing about the regulation that any work worth more than R120,000 should go for tender," Lekone told the court.

The trial continues.

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