Coega CEO’s wife nabbed

Silinga caught after two years on the run

THE fugitive wife of Coega Development Corporation chief executive Pepi Silinga was nabbed in Port Elizabeth yesterday after two years on the run.

Lawyer Pumla Silinga, 47, of Walmer, appeared in court on a charge of theft and was remanded in custody until today, when an inquiry will be held into her whereabouts while on the run.

She can only apply for bail after this.

State advocate Bongo Mvinjelwa will oppose bail.

Silinga’s husband was not present during her brief appearance in the Commercial Crimes Court.

Silinga, the director of Silinga Attorneys in Port Elizabeth at the time, allegedly stole R95 000 from a client’s trust account between July and September 2007.

Smartly dressed Silinga, represented by lawyer Kuban Chetty, was told she would spend the night in custody at the Mount Road police station. She made a quick phone call before being escorted away by an orderly.

Silinga, who is also facing a charge of contempt of court, is due back in the dock today.

If convicted of contempt, she faces a small fine or short term of imprisonment – and her bid for bail becomes that much harder.

Silinga was arrested in November 2013 and released on warning.

She failed to arrive for trial in the Commercial Crimes Court on February 24 2014, and a warrant was issued for her arrest, but held over.

On March 12 2014, when she again failed to appear in court, the warrant was issued from the bench.

The details surrounding Silinga’s arrest yesterday morning are still sketchy.

The prosecution alleges Silinga and estate agent Lungelwa Simango, 46, of Kwazakhele, stole R95 000 from a trust account.

On May 20 2008, Nombulelo Langman bought a property in Zwide from Linda and Nkuzola Qandana, who approached Silinga for assistance with the sale and transfer.

Simango, who acted as the estate agent, referred Langman to Silinga, an admitted conveyancer. On July 3 2008, Marthinus Louw, on behalf of Langman, deposited a cheque for R95 000 into the trust account of Silinga Attorneys.

The money was to be held in trust until the transfer of the property had been completed and registered, and the money paid to the seller.

According to the charge sheet, Silinga drew cheques from the trust account, even depositing R20 000 into Simango’s account.

While Simango appeared on the theft charges, Silinga allegedly fled to Mthatha.