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

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

The former FIFA referee, often referred to as “Ace Ncobo,” and his spouse face three counts of fraud and money laundering related to a R15 million donation earmarked for school construction projects in the Eastern Cape.

The couple made their court appearance on Monday, May 5, 2025.

The State alleges that Ncobo and his wife orchestrated a scheme to illegitimately obtain funds from the Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa SOC Limited (PetroSA) for their personal gain, as well as for their family and/or connected entities.

PetroSA ran a Corporate Social Investment (CSI) program designed to manage and distribute monetary donations to underprivileged schools, institutions, or disaster relief efforts.

This program focused on education, health, community development, and environmental initiatives.

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

PetroSA approved a R13 million donation to rebuild and furnish the school.

An unregistered entity, King’s Gangatha Building Trust, was created to facilitate the funding and reconstruction of the school.

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

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

Western Cape National Prosecuting Authority Spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila noted that concerns regarding irregularities and fraud within the CSI department led PetroSA to hire quantity surveyors to assess the quality of services provided.

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

“It was determined that PetroSA would need R5.9 million to address these discrepancies, including 14% VAT.

“Additionally, PetroSA would incur R398,363, inclusive of 14% VAT, to rectify the issues.”

The State further alleges that Ncobo provided false information to PetroSA when submitting supporting documents for the King’s Gangatha Building Trust to justify 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 granted, with Ncobo’s wife listed as the contact person.

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

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

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

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

PetroSA began an internal investigation through its Risk and Compliance Department after realizing their investments in the various schools and/or entities where the couple was involved were not yielding desired results.

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

The money laundering charge pertains to R15.19 million being transferred to 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) indicate that Gangatha Projects was not a registered entity.

Ace Ncobo Development ILE Projects Close Corporation was registered, with the accused holding a full interest in it.

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

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

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