POLOKWANE – The six people accused of tender fraud in regards to the construction of the Talana Hostel near Tzaneen will next appear in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on June 24 for a trial date.
National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi Dzhangi said Constance Mohlala, Raymond Makoto Nkwane, Thobamotse Jeremiah Makofane, Simphiwe Nolwethemba Maphisa, Tsokollo Pacanin Monareng and Lerato Pearl Dikhutso appeared before the court on three counts of fraud, corruption and forgery.
They were arrested in December 2020 for alleged fraud of over R2,4 million are were released on bail.
The arrests included a 44-year-old woman, who is the director of the company who was awarded the tender for the project and a 35-year-old man, a project manager. A juristic person (the company) was also arrested.
Four more people, believed to be members of the bid evaluation committee, were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in various parts of Johannesburg days later.
“The suspects allegedly vouched for the company to construct the housing units without thoroughly checking the validity of the documents that were submitted. It is further alleged that the temporary housing units do not adhere to the design and specifications,” Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Limpopo spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke explained.
Read more: 7 arrested for temporary housing project fraud
Malabi Dzhangi said Mohlala was granted bail of R20 000 and all other accused are out on bail of R10 000 each.
“It is alleged that the suspects fraudulently obtained a tender of Talana shacks, by using misrepresentations and forged credentials of land surveyors and architects, while they were not permitted by the professionals to use their documents. The suspects claimed over R2 million out of R15 million that was supposed to be used for building 192 shacks and 53 toilets,” she said.
