Nkandla builder arrested for fraud

The woman who built President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead has been charged with corruption and 18 counts of fraud.

Thandeka Nene, 42, is accused of exaggerating her experience as a builder to win government tenders to the value of R118 million. She is also accused of bribing a public works official to secure the work.

The Umhlanga businesswoman was arrested by members of the Hawks Anti-Corruption Task Team last week and was released on bail of R30 000. Spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Natasha Ramkissoon-Kara confirmed the arrest.

“We can confirm Nene was arrested and charged with fraud and corruption. She appeared in the Durban Commercial Crime Court before Judge Nalini Govender. She was granted bail and the case was remanded to December 12.”

Nene’s charges relate to work done by her companies Bonelena Construction Enterprise and Project CC and Ntshantsha Construction CC for the building of schools and a hospital.

After a four-month investigation by the Special Investigating Unit it emerged there were irregularities in the tender procurement process:

* She lied to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) when applying for a grading so as to increase the grade she was awarded.

* She sent the CIDB forged tax clearance certificates.

* She shared a corrupt relationship with someone from Public Works. It is alleged that she made regular deposits into this person’s account to manipulate the tender process. As a result, Nene was awarded 12 tenders by the Department of Public Works.

The current charges make no mention of the upgrade to Zuma’s home in Nkandla.

Nene’s company secured R90 million for the “security upgrades” at the president’s home.

Nene’s husband Sikhumbuzo Eric Nene, 43, her sister Cynthia Cyndi Mahlalempini, 34, and brother-in-law Jordan Mlamuli Ngubane were also arrested last week because they were listed as directors of Ntshantsha Construction. They were each released on R5 000 bail.

Nene told Independent Media her legal team was looking into the findings of the investigation.

“I have nothing much to say about the matter since it is a new case and it is a legal matter still in court. I will leave the rest in their (legal team’s) capable hands.

She said business people often faced challenges.

“This is a testimony to other entrepreneurs like me out there that business is not for the faint-hearted, but if you have God on your side then all is well.

“God has been nothing but good to me through the many challenges that I faced. He kept me and still continues to keep me going.

“And my friends and family have always been supportive, even today, and I thank them for that,” said Nene.

When asked whether she believed the investigation had anything to do with her involvement in Nkandla, she said she did not want to comment on that.

A high-ranking police source believed the investigation into Nene’s credentials was sparked by her involvement with Nkandla and a fraud charge against her in the Seychelles last year.

“The SIU has done a great job. We are now looking into her assets and there is a possibility that assets to the value of the charges may be retained for the course of her trial,” said the source.

Nene got in trouble with the law last December when she was arrested in the Seychelles, accused of allegedly being involved in an international R7-billion bank fraud syndicate.

According to previous media reports, she was arrested along with two other people, one believed to be from South Africa and the other from Sierra Leone.

She pleaded guilty and paid an admission of guilt fine to return to her family in time for Christmas.

Who is Thandeka Nene?

Thandeka Nene, 42, is a multimillionaire businesswoman who enjoys the finer things in life.

Her company, Bonelena Construction CC, was one of two building firms nominated by the Public Works Department to do major work on the “security upgrades” to President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead. The high roller clinched almost R90 million in 2010 when she secured the contract.

Nene built her empire on government construction tenders.

She boasts on her company’s website that she has a string of academic qualifications and that she’s received a number of awards over the years for being the best female contractor.

Nene, who is formerly from Durban’s KwaDabeka township, now lives in Pietermaritzburg and is known for her flashy cars as well as her opulent homes in Umhlanga and Pietermarizburg, registered in her company name.

She’s often seen draped in designer clothing, and spends a lot of time travelling overseas. She was thrust into the international spotlight last December after she was arrested for bank fraud and alleged links to an international fraud syndicate.

In media reports last year, it was revealed that Nene was arrested with two others, one said to be a South African and the other from Sierra Leone. They were charged with attempted bank fraud.

At the time of the arrests, the Mail & Guardian reported that Nene and the two accused had allegedly approached BMI Bank on the islands to open new accounts that would be funded by what police in the Seychelles said was €500-million (R7-billion) in available funds held by HSBC Bank. Their arrests followed soon after, with a specialised fraud unit of the island’s police force also seizing documents and IT equipment. Nene pleaded guilty and paid a fine in order to return home.

From her Facebook profile, it is evident that she frequents Zimbali on KZN’s north coast, the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton, and the lavish Beverly Hills hotel in Umhlanga.

nabeelah.shaikh@inl.co.za

- Independent Media