Jerome Ngwenya Subpoena Investigation – Royal Zulu News
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Ingonyama Trust Board Pursues Asset Seizure from Former Chair Over R30m Diversion
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – The Ingonyama trust Board (ITB), responsible for managing vast tracts of land in KwaZulu-Natal, is moving to seize assets from its former chairperson, Jerome Ngwenya, after he failed to repay R30 million found to have been unlawfully diverted from a land sale. This action comes as a separate investigation continues into a further R41 million allegedly stolen from Ingonyama Holdings (IH), the trust’s commercial arm. The ongoing issues have reignited scrutiny of the ITB’s governance and its effectiveness in benefiting the communities it serves.
Lawyers representing the ITB filed sequestration papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court this week, following Ngwenya’s failure to meet a 30-day deadline to repay the funds. The court previously ruled that Ngwenya ”acted without authorisation” in diverting the money from a land sale transaction.
Advocate Linda Zama, deputy chairperson of the ITB, confirmed the enforcement action. “The court was clear – Mr Ngwenya and his associates must pay back the money. The 30‑day deadline has long passed, and we are now moving to attach assets,” she stated.
This case is distinct from a separate investigation by the special Investigating unit (SIU) into the alleged theft of R41 million from Ingonyama Holdings.The SIU has identified assets potentially purchased with the stolen funds and is seeking parliamentary support to finalize its investigation.
We cannot continue with this situation as if it is business as usualEstablished in 1994, the Ingonyama Trust was created to administer approximately 3 million hectares of land in kwazulu-Natal previously held by the Zulu monarchy. Its stated purpose is to manage the land for the “benefit, material welfare and social wellbeing” of the communities residing on it.
However, the ITB has faced persistent criticism regarding mismanagement, a lack of transparency, and a failure to adequately distribute revenue generated from land leases – notably from cellphone companies renting space for masts – to local communities.
Both the auditor-general and parliamentary portfolio committees have repeatedly highlighted governance failures. civil society groups have called for significant reforms, with some advocating for the trust’s dissolution.
The auditor-general’s latest report underscored these concerns, citing irregular expenditure, weak compliance with the Public Finance Management Act, and a general lack of transparency in financial dealings.
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