Cape Town – A Bloemfontein pastor has repaid approximately R1.9 million in fraudulent funds received from the Agricultural Sector Education Training Authority (AgriSeta).
According to a joint statement by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the pastor, Lerato Mokoteli, and his accomplice, Anthony Dywili, applied for funding by falsely claiming to provide training and mentoring in food garden operations in Kimberley.
They created a nonexistent joint venture between Business Against Crime and an AgriSeta-accredited service provider called Dipalemo.
After receiving the funds, Mokoteli and Dywili submitted false reports and documentation to AgriSeta.
“Upon receiving the R1.9 million funding, Mokoteli and Dywili concluded a Memorandum of Understanding between Business Against Crime and Northern Cape Empowerment Academy led by Dipalemo, knowing very well that the academy exists only on paper.
“Mokotedi submitted to AgriSeta a close-up report on behalf of Dipalemo knowing very well that Dipalemo did not render any training. 50 learners were trained and received certificate of competency in food operation. They were paid a stipend of R219 000…
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“R381 564.86 was claimed to have been used for the administration of training. Dywili did not disclose to AgriSeta that R600 000 of the funding was unspent, in violation of the terms of the agreement,” the statement read.
In 2016, at least R317 000 of the funding was then paid to a non-profit organisation chaired by Dywili.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has provided evidence of criminality to the National Prosecuting Authority, leading to charges of fraud and money laundering against Mokoteli, Dywili, and Jeremia Madiba, the former CEO of AgriSeta.
“The duo, together with Jeremia Madiba, AgriSeta CEO between 2008 and 2017, were charged with various counts of fraud and money laundering. Madiba allegedly awarded the tender without the required decision by the Board of Directors of AgriSeta, therefore, in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). He will be appearing in court on a PFMA charge on 28 August 2023.
“On 26 May 2023, Mokoteli entered into a guilty plea agreement with the State. In terms of the agreement, Mokoteli pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud and two counts of money laundering and agreed to pay back R1.9 million to AgriSeta,” the statement read.
Madiba will face charges related to the Public Finance Management Act in court.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
