400million fraud case linked to SA Express tender in the North West postponed
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A case against four suspects including three companies, Batsamai Investment Holdings, Sevilex Investment Holdings and Lavao, Estevao (PTY) Ltd charged with various charges including money laundering has been postponed to December 1st, 2022.
Tebogo van Wyk, 40, Nothando Dube, 44, Sipho Levy Phiri, 39 and Thabang Mohlokoleng, 54, are facing 34 counts that include fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.
NPA Spokesperson Henry Mamomthame said that during the year 2014, the North West government embarked on the process to reintroduce commercial aircrafts to the province’s two airports, Mahikeng and Pilanesberg on a subsidy estimated at R400 million.
The amount of R183 million was then paid to SA Express to in between 2015 and 2017 for the services rendered by the ground management companies, which Van Wyk, Dube and Phiri are linked to.
Mohlokoleng as the then head of department, signed on behalf of the department of transport of which R51m was channeled irregularly through the charged companies.
The deal was riddled with procurement irregularities and monies were paid for the services not rendered.
“All companies appointed to do the ground handling services were indirectly owned by Dube and Phiri. The irregularities prejudiced the North West government millions of Rands that could have been directed to service delivery.”
The case is one of the cases that were recommended for investigation by the Zondo Commission. The DPCI will continue the investigations as recommended and this will be conducted in phases, with a possibility of more charges and arrests being effected.
Suspects were arrested by the North West’s Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation on 34 counts including fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of Public Finance Management Act.
Van Wyk was granted R500 000 bail, R35 000 for Dube, R150 000 for Phiri and R50 000 for Mohlokoleng.
