Former deputy mayor convicted of fraud over R20k school uniform tender

Former Cederberg deputy mayor Benjamin Zass has been convicted of fraud in the Bellville commercial crimes court in connection with a R20,000 tender to supply school dresses for disadvantaged pupils. 

Eric Ntabazalila, Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson said advocate Andre Botman successfully prosecuted Zass on charges of fraud and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act after a complaint by a service provider, Louisa Swartz.

She was the sole owner of RJ Swartz, a company listed on the Cederberg municipality supplier database and tendered for the municipality’s ‘Back to School Project’ quoting R20,000 to supply school dresses to 100 pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“On January 23 2018, the municipality deposited R20,000 into her business bank account. Shortly after she received a call from the accused informing her the municipality had decided to manage the project, and she was required to return the funds deposited into her business bank account minus R500 for administration costs,” Ntabazalila said.

“She requested the municipality’s banking details to deposit the money, but the accused asked her to meet him outside a local grocery store and bring the money in cash.”

Swartz testified she was not comfortable carrying such a large amount of money in a paper bag and asked her son to accompany her.