AFU freezes millions in assets related to alleged PPE corruption case

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit has obtained a preservation order against assets related to a PPE matter worth R27 million in the Northern Cape.

The order was granted against the assets of well-known Kimberley businessman Somandla Sibisi and his companies Macronym 37 and Aphiwokuhle Holdings.

The frozen assets include a residential property bought for some R900 000, a business property – known as Live Café – bought for more than R2 million, kitchen equipment bought for over R300 000 and a 2013 model Audi A1 car bought for R130 000.

NPA regional spokesperson, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, explained that the vehicle and property were allegedly bought with “the proceeds of the money received from the Northern Cape Department of Health” through PPE related tenders.

“This preservation order emanates from a case where…Sibisi, who is accused number nine, his company is accused number eight, in the Department of Health Northern Cape PPE-related matter amounting to more than R26 million, made his first appearance together with other twelve co-accused on 11 October 2023, in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court.

“The accused are facing charges of Contravention of Provisions of Section 86(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), fraud, corruption, forgery, money laundering, uttering, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice concerning the amount of more than R26.9 million.

“The preservation order, the arrest as well and the appearance in court flow from a multi-disciplinary exertion by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), the Special Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU), the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), and the Directorate of Priority Crimes Unit (DPCI),” he said.

Sibisi’s co-accused in the case are:

Northern Cape Department of Health former Head of the Department Dr Dion Theys

The department’s former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the department Mosimanegape Gaborone

Director of Supply Chain Management Montgomery Lifa Faas

Deputy Director of Finance Victor Nyokong

Director: Administration Assistant of Supply Chain Management Siyabulela Booi

Retired Deputy Director Nursing Directorate: Communicable Diseases Elizabeth Dibueng Manyetsa

Assistant Director Directorate: Communicable Diseases Goitsemodimo Piet Moseki

Macronym 37 (PTY) LTD

Administrative Clerk working for Macronym 37 (PTY) LTD Cleopatra Norman

Employee of Macronym 37 (PTY) LTD Macdonald Mampe,

Masedi Star (PTY) LTD a private company with limited liability

Director of Masedi Star (PTY) LTD Obakeng Samane

“These assets will be preserved awaiting an application by the AFU for the final forfeiture to the State. Dr Dion Theys, Mosimanegape Gaborone, Montgomery Lifa Faas, Victor Nyokong, Siyabulela Booi, Elizabeth Dibueng Manyetsa, Goitsemodimo Piet Moseki, are also out on bail in another Department of Health Northern Cape PPE-related matter amounting to more than R16 million, that will be back in the Kimberley District Court on 16 October 2023,” Senokoatsane concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency