Durban - A suspected syndicate which is alleged to include high-ranking government officials, is said to be operating in the province by awarding fake tenders to build low-cost housing for the Department of Human Settlements.
A sting operation by the Provincial Task Team led to the arrest of two people on Friday at the KZN Treasury Offices in Pietermaritzburg.
Further arrests are expected.
December Radebe, 39, and Thoko Mgabi, 58, both of Pietermaritzburg, appeared in the Durban Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday and were charged with defrauding 34 people, forging tender documents and uttering.
The State alleges this is a syndicate matter involving fake tenders where members of the public are led to believe that they were being awarded tenders.
It is alleged Radebe and Mgabi presented fictitious letters of award and documents for Shayamoya Rural Housing project from the department.
In court on Wednesday, prosecutor Ashika Haripersadh said the State opposed bail because it had certain concerns.
She also said information still needed to be verified, such as the pair’s previous convictions.
The State asked for a five-day adjournment. Radebe and Mgabi’s attorneys agreed to the adjournment until Monday for a bail application.