SIU, Hawks and NPA seize 29 assets tied to PPE tender corruption

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) together with the Hawks and the Assets Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have seized about 29 assets and properties linked to 22 Mpumalanga Public Works senior management officials, service providers and entities linked to a personal protective equipment (PPE) corruption within the department.

The operation was conducted in Mpumalanga, Western Cape, North West and Gauteng, where they served the accused with restriction orders not to sell the properties and assets. They’ve been given five days to oppose the action.

The seizure operation follows a preservation court order from the provincial High Court Division, sitting in Mbombela, obtained by the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

Orders were served at 34 locations with assets ranging from 29 properties, 31 vehicles and a boat trailer.

PPE scandal I Hawks, SUI and AFU seize assets worth R52 mln in alleged COVID-19-related tender fraud

The SIU, HAWKS and AFU recover assets and properties valued at R52.6 million. The funds are linked to the 2021/2022 COVID-19 personal protective equipment tenders.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says they have been tracing how the money was spent.

“As a result of the PPE investigation we were doing, we found that there were officials and companies that were colluding and giving each other tenders and they were not delivering the services, and all of that information was put together and sent to the NPA and the Hawks. The Hawks did a criminal investigation and that is why we have about 22 people that are arrested.”

Kganyago says though the accused are prohibited from selling the properties or assets – they will be allowed to utilise them for now.

“These people can continue to stay in the houses but they have to look after it, they have to make sure that they pay insurance, they pay everything that needs to be paid and then when we come back and want to sell it, we want to find each and everything that we left here still in these properties.”

Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Dineo Sekgotodi says some of the implicated officials have already appeared in court.

“Some of the accused have started with their trial yesterday while today there are others who are proceeding in court. We as the Hawks are continuing with our investigation, and we will continue defending our case where we want all the accused to be sentenced.”

AFU, SIU, AND HAWKS SEIZE ASSETS WORTH R52MILLION IN ALLEGED COVID-19-RELATED CORRUPTION CASE
The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) have seized… pic.twitter.com/8uckG8xqri

— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) July 23, 2024

– Additional reporting by Nhlanhla Jele