MK Party chief whip Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi says the more than R200,000 at the centre of a fraud case against her was meant for Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead, not for herself.
Mokoena-Zondi made the claim in her bail affidavit after being arrested on fraud charges linked to money allegedly collected from parliamentary researchers.
According to the State, researchers were allegedly made to pay between 50% and 60% of their salaries under the pretext that the money was for legal costs linked to the party president.
Mokoena-Zondi denies wrongdoing. She says the money was part of a voluntary contribution initiative meant to support the upkeep and needs of Zuma’s Nkandla home.
She also denies forcing anyone to contribute, saying no staff member was threatened, pressured or coerced into taking part.
Mokoena-Zondi further argued that she did not see herself as the owner or beneficiary of the money. She said if she intended to commit fraud, she would not have used a bank account linked directly to her identity.
She was granted R30,000 bail by the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court. The matter is expected to continue in the Bellville Serious Commercial Crimes Court on 18 June.
In simple terms, prosecutors say researchers were made to pay money under questionable circumstances. Mokoena-Zondi says it was voluntary fundraising for Zuma’s Nkandla home and that she did not personally benefit.