LOUIS TRICHARDT - Mr Paul Ntholeng, a former assistant Town Secretary, walked out of court a free man on Thursday, February 19th after being found not guilty on charges of fraud and corruption.

The charges against Mr Ntholeng relate to alleged irregularities in respect of the Golden Nest development scheme. The charges were brought against him in 1999 by the then Greater Louis Trichardt Transitional Local Council. The Council also temporarily suspended him in April of that same year in light of the accusations.

Following his suspension, Mr Ntholeng resigned in August and later declared a dispute with council arguing constructive dismissal.

The matter served before the Council for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) in November 1999. The CCMA found in favour of Mr Ntholeng and ruled that Council must pay Mr Ntholeng remuneration to the amount of R160 303,44.

Council, however, refused to abide by the CCMA’s ruling and referred the matter to the Labour Court for review. To date, this matter has still not been resolved.

During Mr Ntholeng’s appearance in court on Friday, it was stated that the State failed to proof its case against Mr Ntholeng. He was subsequently acquitted on all charges and released. He afterwards indicated that, apart from his pending Labour Court case against Council, he is also seeking legal advice regarding suing council for damages and defamation of character.