Siyabonga Sesant
Two former Nelson Mandela Bay employees – including a former top official – were among five accused who were on Thursday arrested in connection with a multi-million rand dubious PPE tender.
They include former acting municipal manager 60-year-old Mvuleni Mapu, and former deputy director of facilities, 42-year-old Nwabisa Mtshakaza.
They were nabbed by the Hawks after a questionable tender was awarded to Luchuphe Trading (PTY) Limited during lockdown in 2020.
The company is linked to another accused, 55-year-old Nomsa Mazibuko and businesswoman Buzi Nduvane, also 55.
They face eight charges including fraud defeating the ends of justice after a R2.7-million tender was awarded to Luchuphe Trading.
Hawks spokesperson Yolisa Mgolodela said Mapu and Mtshakaza were key in procuring the Covid-19 screening equipment for the municipality.
But she says questions arose when it was time for payment.
“There were red flags that were detected being that the quotation document didn’t talk to the invoice that was submitted, so immediately that matter was referred to Internal Auditing and they referred it to the Hawks for thorough probing,” said Mgolodela.
According to the state, Mapu, in his capacity as acting municipal manager, unlawfully signed the memorandum reflecting an amount of more than R2.7-million, which inflated the original quotation of over R1.8-million.
The four hid their faces after they were processed at the Humewood police station on Thursday and were taken to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gqeberha where they briefly appeared.
They each received bail of R3000 and the matter was postponed until October 18 for further investigation.
