Hawks nab trio for allegedly defrauding Free State public works of R24 million

Three suspects were arrested on Friday by the Hawks in Bloemfontein for allegedly defrauding the Free State department of public works of R24 million.

The trio, between the ages of 30 and 56, were arrested by the Hawks’ serious corruption investigation team in the early hours of Friday morning. 

“Their arrest stems from the incident which took place in December 2019, where three officials from the department of public works in Bloemfontein, unlawfully captured and approved the payment to the company known as Walton Trading Enterprise CC without approval to the estimated amount of R24 million,” said Hawks spokesperson in the province, Captain Christopher Singo, in a statement.

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Singo said the matter was reported to the Hawks for further investigation, which resulted in the arrests of the three suspects.

They were expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon.

The head of the Hawks in the Free State, Major-General Kubandran Moodley, welcomed the arrests of the suspects.