'Ghosts not innocent'

29 August 2014 - 02:44 By Kathryn Kimberley
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Portia Sizani, 46, pleaded not guilty to 31 counts of fraud involving R1.2-million on the first day of her trial in the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court yesterday. The trial was delayed for a year due to Sizani's ill-health
Portia Sizani, 46, pleaded not guilty to 31 counts of fraud involving R1.2-million on the first day of her trial in the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court yesterday. The trial was delayed for a year due to Sizani's ill-health

Just how innocent the so-called ghost teachers were in the alleged fraudulent scheme that landed the ANC chief whip's wife in the dock came into question yesterday.

The teachers testifying against Portia "Pankie" Sizani should have known they had no right to a salary if they were not doing any work, said Sizani's defence advocate, Johan Wessels.

Sandiswe Jaftha had earlier told the Port Elizabeth Commercial Crimes Court how she received a R3300 a month salary from the provincial education department without lifting a finger.

Sizani, 46, of Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, is accused of defrauding the education department of more than R1.2-million by processing fraudulent applications for bogus teachers.

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