THE long arm of the law caught up with nine accused for the municipal tender fraud allegedly committed back in 2015.
Hawks spokeswoman Warrant Officer Bonnie Nxumalo said the Hawks' National Clean Audit Task Team executed warrants of arrest against nine accused for fraud, forgery and contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act.
In a statement, Nxumalo said, “It is alleged that in 2015, the Dihlabeng Local Municipality in Free State advertised a tender for security services at their buildings. A three-year tender worth R40 million was allegedly awarded in 2016 to a certain company without following proper procedures.
“Other bidding rivalry filed a complaint with the high court in Free State but the issuing of the tender was not halted. The matter prompted the Hawks' investigation and it was later discovered that there are documents which were also altered in favour of the company.”
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The accused, Mfihlwa Mdakane (37), Tsiliso Eric Maitse (49), Marietta Angela Mosima (40), Lethola Sylvester Mabula (43), Goodness Thandekile Hadebe (65), Brenda Vuyelwa Mji (36), Mmanyefolo Lydia Mosia (36), Samuel Moleko Masoeu (39) and Pule David Khiba (41) appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrates' Court on 17 June 2022 where they were released on bail.
“The accused received R5000 bail each whereas Hadebe was released on a R1000 bail. The case was postponed to 10 August 2022,” Nxumalo said.