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

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

The couple appeared in court on Monday, (5 May 2025).

The State asserts that Ncobo and his wife devised a scheme to unlawfully obtain funds from the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (PetroSA) for their own benefit, as well as for their relatives and/or associated entities.

PetroSA ran a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) program aimed at distributing financial donations to disadvantaged schools, institutions, or disaster relief efforts.

This program emphasized education, health, community development, and environmental projects.

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

PetroSA granted a R13 million donation for the renovation and outfitting of the school.

An unregistered entity, King’s Gangatha Building Trust, was created to facilitate the funding and construction 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 claimed that the school never authorized him to act on its behalf or appointed him as the project manager for the construction.

Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila mentioned that when concerns regarding irregularities and fraud within the CSI department emerged, PetroSA engaged quantity surveyors to assess the quality of services rendered.

“The inspection found that the materials used and services provided were of substandard quality and did not correspond with the donation amounts,” said Ntabazalila.

“It was estimated that addressing these discrepancies would cost PetroSA R5.9 million, including 14% VAT.

“Additionally, PetroSA would face an extra R398,363, inclusive of 14% VAT, to resolve the issues.”

The State also alleges that Ncobo submitted false information to PetroSA when filing supporting documentation for King’s Gangatha Building Trust to rationalize the donation application and approval.

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

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

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

It is alleged that Ncobo informed the school principal he was personally funding the preschool construction.

Despite Ncobo managing the construction, no furniture or educational materials were provided to the institution.

“The board members identified in the documents submitted to PetroSA denied any affiliation and contested the authenticity of the signatures,” revealed Ntabazalila.

PetroSA initiated an internal investigation through its Risk and Compliance Department after discovering that their investments in various schools and/or entities where the couple was involved were not achieving the expected results.

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

The money laundering charge pertains to R15.19 million being transferred to bank accounts linked to 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% interest.

Eseswe Projects and Aldrin Andile Baldwin Ncobo Charity Institute were also not registered entities.

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

The case has been postponed until 29 May 2025 for further investigation.