RUSTENBURG – Dineo Precious Powane, facing charges of money laundering, has come under scrutiny for allegedly employing delay tactics to avoid her scheduled appearance in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Rustenburg.
Powane presented a doctor’s note, dated from 30 August to 1 September, to justify her absence. However, the state has expressed skepticism over her explanation, leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant.
State Questions Powane’s Absence
In a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to Briefly News, the state raised concerns about the legitimacy of Powane’s health claims. They highlighted that while Powane informed her lawyer of feeling unwell on 28 August, she only sought medical consultation on the eve of the trial’s resumption.
The state poked holes in Powane’s reason for missing court, claiming that the woman was using the excuse of poor health to avoid a speedy trial.
The implications for Powane are clear: should she fail to appear in court on the designated date, she risks arrest and the forfeiture of her bail money.
Allegations of Collaborative Fraud
Powane’s legal troubles extend beyond her recent court absence. She is implicated in a money laundering scheme with Zambian national, Evan Mutale. Mutale, who faces 49 fraud charges, is accused of embezzling over R5 million from Jaira Constructions and Projects, as reported by IOL.
The timeline of the alleged fraud spans from September 2019 to November 2020. During this period, Mutale is said to have channeled funds into Powane’s bank account. Notably, Powane has no known affiliations with Jaira Constructions and Projects. These transactions were reportedly masked as payments to a service provider.
