More Limpopo tender fraud arrests
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Johannesburg - Two more Limpopo government officials have been arrested on tender-related fraud charges.
The Police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, on Wednesday nabbed Godfrey Mphahlele, 49, senior project manager in the provincial Public Works Department, and his wife, Esther Mogano, 41, who is a procurement officer in the provincial Health Department.
Mphahlele’s nephew, Samson Mphahlele, 33, was also held, as he is listed as co-director in companies owned by the couple, Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko said.
He said Samson, a lecturer at the Sekhukhune FET College, claimed he was unaware of the directorship.
Wednesday’s arrests follow investigations into several contracts estimated at more than R10 million.
Ramaloko said Mphahlele, a member of the department’s bid evaluation committee, helped to award contracts to companies that subsequently subcontracted his company.
Mogano’s bank details were the same as those of the subcontracted companies, and her sister, who is also listed as co-director in some of the companies, has promised to turn State witness, said Ramaloko.
The trio appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
They were granted R5 000 bail each, and their case was postponed to October 31.
Ramaloko said more arrests in connection with this case would be made.
Wednesday’s arrests were the latest in a series involving government officials recently.
In April, Sisa Thanda, 48, former board member of government entity Gateway Airport Authority Ltd, was arrested over the alleged fraudulent payment of R285 000 for services that were not rendered.
Also in April, the Hawks arrested Floyd Brink, general manager in the provincial Roads and Transport Department, for pothole tenders amounting to R63m.
The Star