Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Eastern Cape Chief Director of Community Safety and Liaison, Neil Naidoo, has been arrested for allegedly paying a bribe to stop an investigation into a multi-million rand police tender he was involved in with two businessmen.
Naidoo and his co-accused, businessmen Kenny Govender and Matthew Pillay, appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The three men have been charged with corruption, theft, and defeating the ends of Justice.
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The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigating Directorate (ID) spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka, said the matter was postponed to Tuesday for a formal bail application.
Crime
It is alleged that the accused attempted to bribe investigating officials for R3.5 million to halt investigations into a multimillion-rand national police tender they were involved in.
“The investigation related to an ongoing contract awarded to KJP trading Pty Ltd for the supply of furniture to various SAPS offices across the country for two years,” Seboka said.
“Naidoo stands accused of initiating talks between the investigators and the two businessmen to iron out or halt investigations on 12 March 2022.
“In an undercover operation, Pillay and Govender agreed to pay a sum of R3.5 million by 5 April 2022.”
The two accused then allegedly paid Naidoo R1.8 million on 14 April 2022.
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Seboka said Naidoo allegedly took R300 000 for himself and delivered R1.5 million to the undercover police officers.
“The remaining amount was to be paid at a later date. They also stand accused of defeating the ends of justice,” she added.
The three men were arrested over the weekend. In a statement, the Eastern Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nomthetheleli Mene, commended the work of the investigating team, which led to the arrests.
“Those who continue to steal from the coffers of government institutions must be made to face the consequences of their actions. This is one of the examples we have made, and more will be made as long as we still have people who seem to be dishonest in our society,” Mene said.
ID boss advocate Andrea Johnson said they would leave no stoned unturned in ensuring that those responsible for corruption are held accountable.
“The ID has committed itself to the NPA’s sic-months priority plan to combat corruption,” Johnson said.
“Every matter will start to make a dent in the greater scheme of corruption.
“Impunity will no longer be a given as we intensify our efforts to fight corruption and state capture.”
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