The Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks in East London arrested Nyaniso Sandisiwe Silinga (39) and his business entity Coalition Trading 1203 CC for allegations of fraud, forgery and uttering on 18 May 2023.
It is alleged that on 8 May 2020 Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality issued a tender notice for the appointment of a service provider to supply and deliver train incumbents as well as to install 115 mobile prefabricated structures with light steel frames for the homeless and destitute during the Covid-19 period.
On 15 May 2020, Coalition Trading 1203 CC represented by Silinga as the sole director of the company is alleged to have submitted a bid for the tender at Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
On 3 June 2020, Buffalo City Municipality is reported to have appointed Coalition Trading 1203 CC as the preferred service provider to supply and deliver 115 mobile prefabricated structures with light steel frames amounting to more than R7.3 million and Coalition trading accepted the offer.
Responding to whistleblowing Special Investigation Unit (SIU) conducted a probe and did identify irregularities which led the case to being investigated extensively by the Hawks.
Investigations revealed that Silinga as the director and on behalf of Coalition Trading CC submitted a fraudulent building certificate as it was later confirmed by the National Builders Registration Council that the company was not registered with them.
The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality was nearly prejudiced more than R7.3 million for a forged fraudulent document uttered thus depriving the would be rightful beneficiaries from partaking in the bid.
After his arrest on 18 May 2023, Silinga made his first court appearance in the East London Magistrates’ Court the very same day and was released on a warning.
The matter was remanded to 31 May 2023 for transfer to the Regional court.
