Man arrested for allegedly attempting to bribe SIU investigator on alleged PPE corruption

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The Hawks have made a successful arrest of a man in Mpumalanga who attempted to bribe a Special Investigation Unit (SIU) Investigator.

The arrest was made by the Hawks in a joint operation with the SIU after he arranged to meet the SIU investigator to deliver a “bribe” of R50 000 for the case to disappear.

The Hawks said that they also seized a further R63 600 which was found in the man’s possession.

It is said that the man was under investigation on a R4.8 million PPE tender corruption in the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport.

Investigations by the Unit uncovered several discrepancies and irregularities for the procurement.

“SIU investigations revealed that the Department contracted a particular service provider in the 2017/18 Financial Year for pest control services. However, when a National State of Disaster was declared in March 2020 as a response to COVID-19 pandemic, the Department varied the contract to include disinfection services in the Ehlanzeni District,” the SIU said.

They further said that payments amounting to R 3,5million were made for the mentioned services but not long after the payments, several transfers were made to several individuals and were traced to a Mpumalanga based law firm and two employees of the Department.

It is further alleged in the investigation that daughters of certain Departmental officials benefitted through the law firm.

The SIU Head Advocate Andy Mothibi has welcomed the arrest and applauded the Investigator for not being tempted.