A BUSINESSMAN in Limpopo was arrested on Tuesday morning, 15 November for allegedly defrauding a victim of R1,9 million in a tender scam.
According to Captain Matimba Maluleke, it is alleged that the 43-year-old suspect approached a victim who is also a businessman based in the Polokwane area and identified himself as one of the senior officials at Atok mine.
“It is further alleged that the accused proposed a business partnership and promised to award the businessman a tender worth R11 million at the mine. The said tender was for installing new pipes and drilling new boreholes for the community,” Maluleke said in a statement.
He said the victim was requested to pay R1,9 million to get a tender.
“The requested money was reportedly paid to the accused but no tender was awarded. A case was opened with the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation and it was discovered that the accused was not employed by the mine. He was just a scammer,” said Maluleke.
Following an intensive investigation, a warrant of arrest was authorised against the accused.
The accused appeared in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on the same day of his arrest and he was granted R10 000 bail.
The case was postponed to 23 February 2023.
