AFTER extensive investigations by the National Clean Audit Task Team of the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, the director-general in the Office of the Premier in KZN was arrested this morning (Monday).
Nonhlanhla Mkhize (58) was arrested at her home, and her 47-year-old alleged accomplice was also arrested.
Both were arrested on allegations of defeating the ends of justice, and intimidation.
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This comes after the Mhlathuze Water board chairperson reported allegations of irregular appointment of service providers (legal panel) without following the board’s Supply Chain Management protocols.
Also reported was contravention of section 51(1) of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 by not complying with operational policies of the public entity.
According to Brigadier Thandi Mbambo, investigations revealed that some senior officials are implicated in the irregularities which resulted in the Mhlathuze Water board being prejudiced by an amount of +/ – R37-million.
“Following the investigation and compilation of the forensic report, the chairperson of the Mhlathuze Water board allegedly received a visit from an unknown person at her home claiming to be from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and that he was sent by a senior manager in the premier’s office.
“The alleged individual threatened the chairperson with arrest and demanded the forensic report. He further insisted that the complainant must stop with the investigation,” said Mbambo.
It later emerged that the said person was not from the NIA, but that he was in cahoots with persons of interest implicated in the investigation.
“The operation is ongoing and, so far, two more people implicated in the malfeasance at bulk water utility Mhlathuze Water have been arrested on charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering,” said Mbambo.
All four arrested individuals will soon appear in the Durban Magistrate’s court. More arrests are imminent.
Meanwhile, Mhlathuze Water said it notes the criminal action taken against individuals linked to the entity, but declined to comment at this stage.
“If called upon to do so by the relevant authorities, we will fully comply with such a directive,” said Mhlathuze Water in a statement.
The statement further said that the water entity reassures its stakeholders that it remains fully operational and on course to meeting its obligation of the delivery of bulk water.
The Office of the Premier said it is not in a position to comment on the matter as it is ‘in the hands of law enforcement authorities’.
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