From corruption allegations involving senior municipal officials, to claims of organised gun running and murder-for-profit syndicates, Nelson Mandela Bay’s courts are set for a busy year. The past year saw a steady stream of arrests, court appearances and investigations linked to corruption, organised crime and violent offences in Nelson Mandela Bay. From senior municipal officials accused of fraud, to allegations of gun running across provincial borders and murder-for-profit schemes targeting the vulnerable, many of these cases remain unresolved.
As 2026 begins, several matters are entering crucial phases in the courts. Here is a snapshot of some of the most significant cases that will continue to be closely monitored in the months ahead. In September 2022, the Hawks carried out a series of arrests on charges of fraud and corruption linked to a project to build toilets in some of Nelson Mandela Bay’s poorest communities, which aimed to “de-densify” these areas at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The alleged dodgy tender totalled R24-million. At the centre of these allegations stood two major players: suspended city manager Noxolo Nqwazi and former housing director Mvuleni Mapu. Since their arrest they have been in and out of the dock alongside their co-accused, former ANC regional secretary Luyolo Nqakula, owner of HT Pelatona Projects Morne van der Linde, husband and wife Xolani and Nwabisa Masela, Port Alfred businesperson Nonpumezo Ngotsha, along with her company Thuthiko Logistics, as well as former DA councillors Mbulelo Manyathi, Trevor Louw and Neville Higgins.
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They are expected to return to the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in February after the accused brought an application to be discharged, citing insufficient evidence to prove the charges against them. In an unrelated matter, NMB deputy mayor Gary van Niekerk will return to the same court in May when he is scheduled to stand trial on charges of cyber fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act, related to a legal bill of more than R550,000 that he racked up in 2022, which, according to the State, was done fraudulently. In the lead-up to his trial, Van Niekerk was also slapped with a fine after he was convicted of being in contempt of court for failing to appear before court and instead travelling to Germany for a political visit he claimed would “save lives”.
Ayabulela Busakwe was arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Kariega businesswoman Theresa Minnie in August, and it shocked the NMB community when he was later linked to the July murder of prosecutor Tracy Brown outside her Young Park home. He is expected to return to the Kariega Magistrates’ Court alongside his kidnapping co-accused, Andile Mathumbu, soon after the matter was postponed for further investigation.
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