Former SAA Technical chairperson Yakhe Kwinana appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. photo credit: News24
(The Post Script)- The arrest of former South African Airways (SAA) board member Yakhe “Fat Cake” Kwinana has brought an end to what local residents are describing as a prolonged period of intimidation and fear.
Kwinana is accused of using threats and violence to force residents on her land in the Eastern Cape to pay rent. Her arrest was described by police as the culmination of a “reign of terror.” Numerous homes were allegedly destroyed, by Kwinana herself. Kwinana appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday facing. She faces charges of extortion, malicious damage to property, and pointing a firearm. She is also linked to violent incidents related to taxi violence in East London. Her arrest on Monday involved a joint operation by several law enforcement units
Earlier this year, Kwinana allegedly arrived at an informal settlement near East London Airport with armed guards and a tractor-loader-backhoe to demolish homes of tenants who hadn’t paid rent. One resident, who had paid rent since the previous year, returned to find her house demolished. Another said that when her house was damaged, her possessions were stolen. A disagreement over rent payments and land ownership led to these acts.
Following the death of the original owner, over 100 families had taken up residence on Kwinana’s land. She enforced penalties and sought unpaid rent in August 2024. According to reports, locals took legal action to prevent her from evicting those who were unable to pay, and those individuals were locked out. Kwinana persisted in her behavior in spite of this, causing more than ten houses to be destroyed. Following threats and acts of violence by Kwinana’s security, some locals were afraid for their safety.
Kwinana’s involvement with the farm dates back to 2019, when she moved in under the guise of seeking a plot, and later claimed ownership in 2020, imposing rent on the residents. Those who couldn’t pay faced physical intimidation and assaults from her security.
The land conflict is not the only legal issue she faces. She was charged with fraud in November 2024 related to her employment at SAA. She allegedly neglected to reveal previous connections between two significant auditing firms, PwC and Nkonki Incorporated, and her own auditing firm, Kwinana and Associates. A multi-year auditing contract worth R59 million was given to these firms. Even though Kwinana claimed financial difficulties, he was given R20,000 bail.
Apart from the pending fraud prosecution, Kwinana has had a contentious career. She violated professional ethics while working for SAA. Her violation led to her expulsion from the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) in 2023. Kwinana was deemed “unfit” for membership in the profession by the SAICA disciplinary body, and she was fined R6.1 million. Her removal followed disclosures made during the State Capture Inquiry, which raised questions about SAA administration due to her involvement in dubious procurement decisions.
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