A joint effort by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) led to the seizure of various assets and properties valued at approximately R52.6 million across some parts of the country.
The assets and properties are linked to 22 senior management officials, service providers, and entities involved in an alleged corruption network within the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works.
The operation follows a high court order, which allowed seizure of various assets in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North West, and Western Cape provinces associated with personal protective equipment (PPE) corruption, and the operation included serving orders at 34 locations and capturing inventories of 29 properties, 31 vehicles, and a boat trailer.
“The court order freezes properties such as houses, electronics, cars, household items, jewellery, arms, ammunition, bank accounts, salaries and bail monies.
All internet banking privileges will be removed from the accused as of 23 July 2024.
The seized assets and frozen properties belong to employees of the Mpumalanga Public Works, while others belong to service providers doing business with the department,” read a joint statement by the NPA, Hawks and SIU.
According to the law enforcement authorities, the SIU’s investigation into PPE contracts related to the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that senior management officials awarded multi-million-rand COVID-19 PPE tenders to suppliers who did not deliver the services.
These suppliers allegedly paid substantial kickbacks to the senior management officials and their family members in different ways.
“The investigation uncovered multiple instances of corruption, fraud, theft, and money laundering committed by senior managers and service providers involved in procuring PPE disinfection services during the COVID-19 period.
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU referred criminal evidence to the NPA and Hawks for further investigation, leading to the arrest of department officials and service providers,” added the statement.
The suspects will face criminal charges related to PPE procurement and will appear in the Commercial Crimes Court on charges of corruption, fraud, and money laundering.
