Nandipha Tembo (37), the Department of Education Director of Supply Chain Management, her husband Theophillus Tembo (37) her brother Mandilakhe Mgwangqa (35) and an entity, Alinani Trading represented by the married couple appeared in the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 30 September 2021 for allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering shortly after they were arrested by the East London based Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks.
It is alleged that in October 2020, Nandipha’s sister received a congratulatory message from a friend for having been awarded a Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) tender worth over R2 million.
She was not aware of the application nor the awarding of the tender since the Alinani Trading was her sister and husband’s company but only registered in her name.
She was allegedly promised 10% of every profit generated. During this tender she did not receive the promised amount then she laid a complaint in October 2020.
The investigation was conducted and revealed that Nandipha by virtue of her position as the director in the department influenced and recommended the awarding of tenders to Alinani Trading without declaring her interest in the company.
It was further revealed that Mandilakhe Mgwangqa the brother to Nandipha Tembo is an employee of the company. The investigations further revealed that the company received two tenders each worth R2 million.
Nandipha and her husband, Theophillus were each released on R20 000-00 bail whereas Mandilakhe was released on a R5000-00 bail.
The matter was remanded to 27 October 2021 to set a trial date. The investigation is ongoing and other arrests are imminent.
