NORTH WEST –  Nolutho Diko (58) appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 26 September 2022 facing twelve counts of fraud and eleven counts of money laundering worth over R500 000.

The accused, who was a North West University Professor and the Director for the School for Education Management and Leadership at the Mahikeng branch, was summoned to appear before court following investigations by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, into allegations of fraud that took place between May 2016 and April 2017.

It is reported that while the accused was employed by the North West University, she allegedly failed to declare that she is a director and founding member of Fabued College Co-operative Limited.

Unbeknown to the university, she allegedly submitted financial claims to the university under the name of her company, allegedly on behalf of external consultants and other service providers whom she alleged to have rendered services to the university. Through investigations it was discovered that the service providers listed on the claim forms, never rendered any services to the university.

The accused allegedly signed those claims without declaring her capacity and without indicating that she is an employee of the university. She reportedly later channelled some of the funds to her personal account.

The matter was postponed to 28 November 2022 for further investigation.

Source: South African Police Service