NPA plans on reinstating fraud charges against Gwamanda

JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it plans on reinstating fraud charges against former Johannesburg mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda.

On Tuesday, the State provisionally withdrew all charges against Gwamanda and his co-accused, Mduduzi Zondo.

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The pair were initially charged with multiple counts of fraud for allegedly swindling Soweto residents through a funeral policy scam they ran between 2011 and 2012.

The matter sat at the Protea Magistrates Court on Tuesday for the State to disclose its evidence to the defence and also for the certificate of trial readiness.

"It was my instruction, your worship, that the State was unable to issue a trial-ready certificate, and the State is provisionally withdrawing charges against the accused on merit," said State prosecutor Sandra Mntambo.

The NPA has since released a statement saying that more complainants who were allegedly defrauded in the funeral scheme had come forward.

It said this has necessitated further investigations.

The NPA said once these investigations were complete, it would prosecute Gwamanda and Zondo again.