Five accused linked to tender fraud and corruption in the KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on 30 July 2020, facing charges of fraud and corruption.
It is alleged that officials in the Office of the Premier connived with service providers to secure catering tenders disregarding all supply chain procedures and the officials allegedly received gratification for their efforts.
These allegations were reported to the Durban Serious Corruption Investigation who through a prosecution guided investigation led to the arrest of the four officials and one service provider. The total value of the contracts under investigation is more than R20 million.
Ziphathe Mboneni Cibane (55) a Chief Financial Officer was granted R 10 000 bail, Personal Assistant Nomusa Zakwe (35), Njabulo Makhathini (34) an Administration Clerk, Sithembiso Msomi (53) a Senior Administration Clerk were granted R5 000 each whilst Gugu Kheswa (51) a Director in Phumalanga Communications Close Corporation was granted R20 000 bail.
Meanwhile the National Head of the DPCI, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya has welcomed the arrest of the suspects.
“As we indicated before, all those who contributed in looting the government and municipalities shall be brought to justice,” said Lieutenant General Lebeya.
The case was postponed to 2 October 2020, and more arrests are expected.
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