Africa-Press – South-Africa. The Hawks have arrested a deputy director of disaster management at the Mpumalanga Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and two co-accused after a personal protective equipment (PPE) tender was allegedly unlawfully awarded to his friend’s company.
Raymond Manzini, 45, his brother Chris, 33, and friend Moses Ndlovu, 61, appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They face charges of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
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They were each granted R15 000 bail, and the case was postponed to 28 July for further investigation.
Their arrest followed an investigation relating to the tender, which Cogta had advertised for the supply of PPE.
During the process, the tender was allegedly unlawfully awarded to Ndlovu’s company, Zalabantu Estate Trust, under the influence of Raymond, Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi said.
Sekgotodi said:
She said after the delivery of the items, Ndlovu invoiced the department and made a payment of R6 million into the account of Raymond’s brother, Chris.
This was allegedly a repayment to Raymond, Sekgotodi said.
“The investigation linked the four accused with the case, and the matter was brought before the court. Warrants of arrest were executed hence their appearance in court,” Sekgotodi added.
Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Zodwa Mokoena said the Hawks would not “keep quiet when state resources are being misused”.
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