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- Fidelis Moema, the former KPMG employee who was responsible for bursaries at the company, has been granted R50 000 bail.
- He has been accused of defrauding the auditing firm of R16.5 million in funds meant for students.
- The matter has been referred the Asset Forfeiture Unit to decide whether to attach the accused's assets.
The Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court has granted R50 000 bail to former KPMG bursary specialist Fidelis Moema and two co-accused. They allegedly defrauded the firm of R16.5 million, which were meant for students.
Magistrate Sharon Soko warned Moema, businessman Trevor Machimana, and Tshwane metro police officer Lebogang Sigubudu not to apply for passports pending the finalisation of their case in which they face more than 400 charges of fraud and money laundering.
Moema is the only one of the three facing a theft charge.
Soko warned the three accused against intimidating and communicating with witnesses.
READ: Alleged bursary swindler failed to tell Nedbank he was dismissed by KPMG, court hears
During the bail hearing, Soko said: "Moema, who worked as a bursary specialist for KPMG, channelled funds meant for bursary recipients to people known to him. The court has to balance [the accused's] right [to] liberty with the interests of justice."
The court heard there was no evidence that their release endangered the lives of witnesses, she said.
In addition, the magistrate said the men had mortgages for immovable properties.
The court also found that there was no evidence that the accused were likely to intimidate witnesses and added: "There is no likelihood they will jeopardise the proper functioning of the criminal justice system. They managed to prove on a balance of probabilities why they should be released."
READ: KPMG bursary fraud: R16.5 million graft-accused employee 'doing well' in custody, says lawyer
Regional National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane welcomed the bail judgment and added that they were looking for more suspects.
She said the NPA was satisfied that the court granted a higher bail amount than what the accused had suggested.
"The court met our request to increase the quantum to R50 000. Investigations are continuing. There are people of interest we are looking at."
"We can't reveal their identities at this stage. We hope that when the matter returns to court next month, the investigation will have gathered more information from stakeholders and our partners," Mjonondwane said.
On Thursday, the court heard that some people of interest, including Moema's ex-girlfriends and businesspeople, had allegedly received some of the funds.
"When we come back in court, we could disclose the contents of the dockets. Witnesses who feel threatened must come forward for the State to take steps. So far, we haven't received such reports of threats.
"The number of people we are looking at might increase. We prefer to wait for the right moment. When we are at the stage to disclose our docket, we will be able to tell how many people have been added to the case," she said.
Mjonondwane added that the matter was referred to the Asset Forfeiture Unit to decide whether to attach the accused's assets.
The case was postponed to 24 May.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.
