Hawks nab education official and company director in R6.5m corruption case
A Northern Cape Education Chief Director and a former company director were granted bail after being arrested for corruption, fraud, and money laundering charges related to a multimillion-rand Covid-19 tender.
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A Chief Director at the Northern Cape Department of Education and a former company director were granted bail of R10,000 each after they were arrested by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation unit on August 26, in connection with a R6, 5 million tender.
Hawks Northern Cape spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi said the Chief Director at the Department of Education's Curriculum Management Unit, Gobonamang Doris Sibiya, 59, former Director of Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solution, Tshegofatso Kenabatho Gopane, 44 and the entity, Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solution, were facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering.
"It is alleged that during May 2020, the Department of Education awarded a tender to Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solution to conduct Covid-19 orientation and training with ongoing support of 554 schools at its head office and five district offices in and around Kimberley for an amount exceeding R6, 5 million."
She stated that a motivation was submitted for the company to be awarded the contract in accordance with the single service provider method as per the department's supply chain management policy, whereas the company did not possess or meet the unique requirements.
"Investigations revealed that Sibiya accepted an amount of R10,000 from Gopane without any declaration."
She added that the accused were granted R10,000 bail each.
"The case was postponed until September 17," Mnisi added.