PPE tenderpreneurs in the dock

THREE officials from the Northern Cape Department of Health will remain in custody this weekend, following their arrests in connection with the alleged irregular procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) tenders valued at R16.9 million.

Judgment on the bail applications of the head of department, Dr Dion Theys, 56, the chief financial officer, Daniel Gaborone, 54, and the deputy director of finance, Victor Nyokong, 41, was postponed until August 28 in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Six of the accused in the matter were granted bail of between R5 000 and R50 000 on August 23.

Nine people were arrested earlier this week on charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) following an investigation by the Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks.

Both Theys and Gaborone were reinstated at the department in April after charges involving the procurement of PPE at the Department of Health, valued at R43 million in 2020, were provisionally withdrawn on December 8, 2022.

Theys was issued with a fine on August 16 after being found guilty of contravening the PFMA by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court after lease agreements amounting to R13 million were concluded with JP Hugo Trading for nursing accommodation.

Co-accused Kanyaditswe McDonald Visser, 44, who is the owner of Rio Cocktail Lounge and the managing director of MVK Diamonds, was granted bail of R50 000.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit issued a preservation order of his assets amounting to R5.3 million, including a piece of land and a Bentley Continental GT, in June.

His legal representative, Mkhokheli Pino, stated that the reputation of his client, who was the director of multiple businesses, had been tarnished by the charges.

“He is not married and has 10 children. He cannot deny or confirm the allegations against him and will plead not guilty to the charges. He is prepared to hand over his passport and will not attempt to flee.”

Supply chain management officials at the Department of Health, Montgomery Lifa Faas, 39, and Siyabolela Booi, 38, an assistant director, were both granted bail of R10 000.

The legal representative for Faas and Booi, Malixole Thomas, indicated that his clients would plead not guilty to the charges.

“Faas is facing a charge of fraud, he has no pending cases or previous convictions. His child and wife are dependent on him for their survival.

“Booi has a chronic heart condition. He has one drunk driving conviction in 2009 and has no pending cases. His incarceration will place his job at risk. He will not evade his trial or endanger the safety of the public.”

Assistant director Goitsemodimo Piet Moseki, 50, and the deputy director in the nursing directorate, Elizabeth Dibueng Manyetsa, 63, who are both attached to the Communicable Diseases section, received bail of R5 000 each.

The legal representative for Moseki, Kenneth Juries, stated that his client would plead not guilty to charges of corruption.

Legal representative Ruwald Wilson added that Manyetsa was retired and suffered from diabetes and hypertension.

“She is caring for her husband who is recovering after undergoing a medical procedure on August 8. She will plead not guilty to charges of fraud.”

Mkhokheli Pino, the legal representative for the director of Stilofern (Pty) Ltd, Kelebogile Agnes Bogatso, 58, who was granted bail of R10,000, stated that she would not influence any witnesses and was not a flight risk.

Advocate Els is appearing on behalf of the State.

Magistrate Leon Blaauw postponed the matter until October 16.

Hawks spokesperson Captain Tebogo Thebe said the accused were ordered to hand over their passports within the next seven days.