3 suspects nabbed for defrauding department R12.8 million

Three suspects between the age of 34 and 45 were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Unit for theft, money laundering, uttering and criminal gang activity in Bloemfontein.  

According to Free State Hawks Spokesperson, Christopher Singo, in the earliest hours of the morning of Thursday, 16 July 2021, an Operation Task Team from the Hawks followed a lead into fraudulent activity by the trio that submitted fraudulent company documents to bid for the awarded tender.

“Their arrests originate from an incident which took place during December 2014 where the Department Of Rural Development and Land Affairs awarded a tender to the suspects to the estimated value of more than R6 million,” said Singo in a released statement.

Singo further added that, “the fraudulent documents submitted purported to the department that a joint venture exists between the suspects and the complainant whereas a joint venture agreement submitted was fraudulent and did not exist.

When the department requested document from the complainant to effect final payment on the project, it was discovered that a joint venture never existed and documents submitted were fraudulent,” statement further read.
 
It is alleged that, the matter was then reported to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation for further investigation.

During the investigation it was revealed that a total amount of more than R12 million was paid to the suspects which led to their arrest in Queenstown, Butterworth and East London. The suspects are expected to appear before the Bloemfontein Magistrate Court on Monday, 19 July 2021.  
 
The Provincial Head of Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Kubandran Moodley, has commended the team for the successful investigation which led to the arrest of the suspects.