2026/09/16 - IOL
Mnikelwa Nxele’s BOSASA fraud and money-laundering case postponed.
KwaZulu-Natal Regional Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services Mnikelwa Nxele’s fraud and money laundering case has been postponed for further proceedings.
Nxele appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate's Court on Wednesday on charges stemming from allegations linked to contracts worth more than R14 million awarded to BOSASA.
He was granted bail of R50,000, subject to stringent conditions.
National Prosecuting Authority’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the matter was postponed for the application of centralisation, disclosure of the docket and for the case to be transferred to the court that will hear the trial.
The case follows a referral to IDAC by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) after investigations into evidence presented by Angelo Agrizzi at the State Capture Commission.
Agrizzi, a former senior executive at BOSASA, provided evidence to the commission concerning the company’s contracts with government departments.
According to Mamothame, the allegations relate to Bosasa contracts valued at approximately R20 million. Nxele is accused of receiving bribes of about R100,000 per month while serving as chairperson of the Special Bid Adjudication Committee in KwaZulu-Natal.
The alleged payments are linked to BOSASA contracts valued at more than R14 million.
Nxele is further accused of conducting fraudulent financial activities through the Zogoba Trust, which he allegedly registered and used to conceal the movement of funds and assets allegedly accumulated through criminal activity.
IDAC alleges that the money was used to purchase properties and for gambling at various casinos around the country.
The commissioner is also accused of failing to make the required financial disclosures to the Department of Public Service and Administration.
His case will return to the Pietermaritzburg Magistrates’ Court on November 26, 2026.
