Three suspects aged 44 and 50 including a business entity are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on 12 November 2024, after they were served with summons on 15 and 21 October 2024.

During 2023, the complainant in the case alleges that his company, together with the company which the 44-year-old suspect was working for, were appointed by the Free State Department of Health to form part of the project that was responsible for installation of IT infrastructure at the doctors’ quarters at Botshabelo District Hospital.

The complainant also alleges that he was informed by one of the suspect’s company that the project was completed in December 2023, and that a payment to an amount of R1 496, 688.17 was made to another company and not directly to the complainant’s company as supposed.

The 44-year-old suspect was the project co-ordinator who supplied the ICT equipment and installation during the commencement of the project to the value of R206 942.50 and part of the work within the projec
t was executed by the complainant’s company.

As a result of this alleged fraud, the complainant was prejudiced and suffered a loss of R1 496 688.17. A criminal case was opened and referred to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein for further investigation which led to the expected court appearance of the three suspects.

Source: South African Police Service