NORTHERN CAPE – Two company directors, a juristic person (their entity) along with the former head for the department of Health in the Northern Cape were charged on allegations of fraud, contravention of Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 and contravention of the Private Security Industry Regulation Act 56 of 2001.

It is alleged that during 2017, the former HOD, who once was a police officer and is currently the Deputy Director General in another provincial department, awarded tender irregularly to Defensor Electronic Security Systems company for rendering of security services to the department.

It is further alleged that the directors of the company submitted fraudulent documents in order to gain an unfair advantage over others to be awarded the tender as the highest bidder. They were awarded the tender between August and October 2017, worth a total value surpassing R224 million, however it later escalated to an amount exceeding R384 million.

The case was reported to the Hawk’s Serious Corruption Investigation in December 2017, where an Inquiry was registered. The Enquiry was turned into a case docket in January 2020 culminating to the arrest and subsequent court appearance today.

The suspects handed themselves over to the Hawks this morning and are expected to appear before Kimberley Magistrate Court today.

The National Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, welcome the arrest and said “the wheels of justice may not have started quick enough in this matter, but there is no doubt that they grind exceedingly fine. It is concerning to observe the involvement of senior managers in criminal activities. The members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation shall continue to secure the attendance in court, of all those who involve themselves in committing national priority offences without fear, favour or prejudice as directed in section 17E(10) of the Police Act.”

Source: South African Police Service