Staff Reporter
Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor and current deputy mayor Gary van Niekerk has appeared in the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, facing four charges, including two counts of cyber fraud and two violations of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
These charges stem from allegations that, in 2022, he unlawfully instructed two law firms, Boqwana Burns Incorporated and another, to perform legal work totaling over R570,000 without proper authorisation.
The legal work involved contesting his expulsion from the then Northern Alliance.
State Prosecutor Kenny Cooney confirmed that the defence has received copies of the docket.
Van Niekerk, represented by Danie Gouws Attorneys, is set to return to court on January 15, 2025.
The court appearance coincided with growing pressure on Van Niekerk’s political career.
Van Niekerk is facing a motion of no confidence, tabled by the DA and the GOOD Party in the Nelson Mandela Bay council.
This motion follows findings by an ad hoc committee that Van Niekerk violated the code of conduct and flouted provisions of the MFMA.
The committee’s report has prompted calls for his removal from the council.
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