The nephew of IEC commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku, who is facing graft charges, appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Palm Ridge for allegedly benefitting from the R1.2 million meant for underprivileged learners.
Ciniso Masuku, 30, handed himself over to the Hawks' serious commercial crime investigation on Tuesday.
“The accused handed himself over this morning and was processed at the Johannesburg Central police station on charges of fraud and theft in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act,” said Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale.
Ciniso is charged alongside his aunt and Phillip Roux who have since appeared in court and were released on bail of R20,000 and R10,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, Ciniso was released on R20,000 bail.
Masuku, 62, a former Standard Bank employee, was the head of the Corporate Social Investment (CIS) programme for the "Adopt A School Trust" which was established to provide scholarships, bursaries and awards of study, researching or teaching to learners from schools adopted by Standard Bank's "Adopt a School" programme.
The programme was meant to uplift individuals who qualify and meet the selection criteria to further their studies at any recognised institutions of higher learning.
Mogale said Masuku was entrusted with managing the CSI programme.
“Through an intensive probe, the Hawks investigators established that the incumbent flaunted the processes of the trust by awarding scholarships to friends and family members through manipulation of documents and without the approval of the Committee with some of the monies deposited directly into her personal bank account to the tune of R1.2 million,” Mogale said.
Meanwhile, Ciniso is expected to make his next appearance on February 6, 2025.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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