SIU welcomes conviction and sentencing of former KZN education department financial manager for PPE related crime

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes the conviction of former financial manager at the KwaZulu Natal Department of Basic Education (DoE), Lungelo Stewart Mhlongo.

Mhlongo was convicted and sentenced for contravention of Public Administration Management Act by the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which is suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence during the period of suspension.

The conviction of Mhlongo follows the SIU’s referral to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after uncovering evidence pointing to criminal activity during the PPE investigation. The referral was in line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, which requires the SIU to refer evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the NPA for further action.

The SIU investigations found that Mhlongo had failed to inform the KZN DoE, when he had a legal duty as a public officer that he had an interest in a service provider which had secured two contracts for the supply and delivery of spray pumps to the value of R1 241 425.00 from the KZN DoE.

Mhlongo as a Finance Manager employed in the finance unit of the KZN DoE Infrastructure Department contravened the following:

Failed to disclose his interests with the service provider.

Was party to a contract with a service provider that was conducting business with the state, while still an employee of the KZN DOE.

Failed to disclose his financial interests and or benefits as a cardholder of the service provider’s business account, to Head of Department of the KZN DoE.

Entered transaction or acted in a way that conflicted with or infringed upon his or her duties, or which appeared to do so.

He performed or engaged himself to perform remunerative work outside his employment in the public service without the requisite permission being granted by the KZN DoE Head of Department.

The SIU was mandated through Proclamation No. R23 of 2020, to investigate the affairs of all State institutions in respect of the procurement or contracting for goods, works and services, during, or in respect of the National State of Disaster, by or on behalf or State institutions.

The conviction of Mhlongo is a clear demonstration of cooperation by State institutions in the implementation of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover assets and financial losses suffered by State institutions and/or to prevent further losses.

Source: Government of South Africa