Free State ex-municipal manager caught up in R21m tender scandal

Contractor and civil works company Pit Dog Trading has been named in a tender scam amounting to R21 million.

Company director Tumahole Jeffrey Mokoena appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on fraud and forgery charges. He was released on R7,000 bail.

The case was remanded to 6 October, where he will appear beside his co-accused, the former acting Mafube Local Municipality municipal manager, Nkabi Andrew Hlubi.

The 43-year-old Hlubi had appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on 10 September, where he was charged with fraud and corruption.

In 2015, Hlubi awarded tenders to Mokoena’s company.

It is further alleged that Mokoena forged and submitted fraudulent documents at the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to be awarded a higher CIDB grading.

After every payment made from the municipality to Pit Dog trading, Mokoena then deposited a portion of the money into Hlubi’s bank account, with amounts starting at R1 million.

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All the tenders that were awarded are estimated to total R21 million.

The matter was then reported to the Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit.

After further investigations, Hlubi handed himself over to the investigators. He was charged and made his first appearance in court.

Hlubi was released on R10,000 bail.

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