PSL Manager Andile Ncobo and His Wife Charged with R15 Million Fraud in Court

Cape Town – A prominent couple facing allegations of fraud, Premier Soccer League General Manager Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo and his wife, Salomie Twaise Ncobo, have been ordered to appear at the Bellville Magistrate’s Court.

The former FIFA referee, widely known as “Ace Ncobo,” and his spouse are charged with three counts of fraud and money laundering related to a R15 million donation meant for school construction projects in the Eastern Cape.

The couple’s court appearance took place on Monday, (5 May 2025).

The State argues that Ncobo and his wife devised a plan to illegally obtain funds from the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (PetroSA) for personal gain and the benefit of their family or related entities.

PetroSA ran a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative aimed at managing and distributing monetary donations to underprivileged schools, institutions, or disaster relief efforts.

This initiative focused on education, health, community development, and environmental programs.

In 2008, Gangatha Junior Secondary School in the Eastern Cape requested funding for the construction of new classrooms, an administration block, sanitation facilities, a fully equipped science lab, a computer lab, an upgraded sports field, various furniture, and a security fence.

PetroSA approved a donation of R13 million to build and equip the school.

An unregistered entity named King’s Gangatha Building Trust was established to manage the funding and reconstruction of the school.

Ncobo was tasked with overseeing and managing the construction, which started in November 2008 and finished in September 2009.

However, it is alleged that the school never authorized him to represent it or appointed him as project manager for the construction.

Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila announced that when concerns about irregularities and fraud within the CSI department arose, PetroSA engaged quantity surveyors to assess the quality of services provided.

“The inspection revealed that the materials used and services delivered were of poor quality and did not correspond to the donation amounts,” stated Ntabazalila.

“It was found that PetroSA would need R5.9 million to rectify the issues, including 14% VAT.”

“Additionally, PetroSA would incur an extra R398,363, inclusive of 14% VAT, to address these problems.”

The State also claims that Ncobo misrepresented information to PetroSA when submitting supporting documents for the King’s Gangatha Building Trust to validate the donation application and approval.

In another case, Nqadu Pre-Grade R School sought a donation from PetroSA in 2008 to establish a new preschool.

The request was approved, naming Ncobo’s wife as the contact person.

PetroSA successfully transferred R485,450 to the Great Kei bank account.

It is alleged that Ncobo told the school principal he would personally finance the preschool construction.

Despite Ncobo managing the construction, no furniture or educational resources were provided to the preschool.

“The board members listed in the documents submitted to PetroSA denied their connection and questioned the authenticity of the signatures,” revealed Ntabazalila.

Following the realization that their investments in various schools or entities linked to the couple were not achieving the intended outcomes, PetroSA initiated an internal investigation through its Risk and Compliance Department.

The quantity surveyors assessed that PetroSA would require an additional R20,093, including 14% VAT, to resolve issues at Nqadu Pre-Grade R School.

The money laundering charge involves R15.19 million being funneled into bank accounts associated with Gangatha Projects, Eseswe Projects, Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute, and Aldrin Andile Baldwin Development ILE PR.

Records from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) show that Gangatha Projects was not a registered entity.

Ace Ncobo Development ILE Projects Close Corporation was registered, with the accused holding a 100% stake in it.

Eseswe Projects and Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute were also unregistered entities.

After a short bail hearing, Ncobo and his wife were granted bail amounts of R50,000 and R30,000, respectively.

The case has been adjourned to 29 May 2025 for further investigation.