Axed Nelson Mandela Bay deputy mayor Chippa Ngcolomba needed R36,200 to pay his gym membership fees and settle his debt, Port Elizabeth attorney David le Roux has alleged.
In a statement which blows the lid on corruption linked to the beleaguered Integrated Public Transport System, Le Roux claims to have been told by Port Elizabeth businessman Fareed Fakir that he had paid off some of Ngcolomba’s debt to “keep him loyal” to him.
The money was used to pay off Ngcolomba’s Virgin Active account (R2,200), FNB account (R14,000) and a loan from Sanlam (R20,000).
The allegations are contained in an unsigned statement, in which Le Roux also implicates himself in the looting of the Bay’s bus system.
The statement is similar to a signed affidavit that Le Roux made to the Legal Practice Council.
Le Roux details how Fakir would often confide in him how he bankrolled politicians.
Le Roux alleges Fakir told him that he had to make random payments to Ngcolomba, who was the Bay’s deputy mayor between March 2013 and May 2015.
“Chippa was not a powerful figure and the payments were made merely to keep him loyal to Fakir,” Le Roux alleges.
Ngcolomba, who is now an ANC MPL in Bhisho, refused to answer specific questions on the claims, while Fakir’s attorney, Danie Gouws, denied the allegations outright.
Le Roux claims Fakir gave Ngcolomba the cash to settle his debt on March 31 2013 – 13 days after he was sworn in as deputy mayor.
He also alleges that during a visit by a deputy president, who is not named in the statement, Fakir gave Ngcolomba R50,000 in cash.
“Fakir also assisted him to buy a new Jaguar vehicle,” Le Roux alleges.
Ngcolomba said he had opted not to comment as the claim had been made by someone other than Fakir.
However, he then said: “This is Le Roux saying Fareed said [this] and it is a problem.
“It would be better if it was Fareed saying these things.
“I have never stolen anything from the municipality.”
Asked again if he had received money from Fakir, he said: “This is going to go the legal route and at the right time that question will be answered.
“This is Le Roux saying Fareed said this to him.
“If Fareed said these things I would have responded.
“This is not how one should respond on this [matter].
“I can’t be expected to respond as Le Roux said Fakir said this.”
Gouws said Fakir denied all allegations made by Le Roux.
“On this issue, this is totally, totally not true,” he said.
“He is denying this. Whatever Le Roux says is false.”