Four officials from KZN premier's office accused of corruption granted bail
Five people, including four employees from the Office of the KZN Premier, have been arrested on allegations of fraud and corruption.
It's related to a R20 million catering tender dating back to 2013.
The Hawks say the four officials are Premier Sihle Zikalala's personal assistant, Nomusa Zwake, Chief Financial Officer, Ziphathe Cibane, senior administration officer, Sithembiso Msomi, and administration clerk, Njabulo Makhathini.
The fifth person is Gugu Kheswa, the director of Phumalanga Communications, a service provider.
Hawks spokesperson Simphiwe Mhlongo says the officials allegedly manipulated procurement processes so that contracts were awarded to certain providers.
They appeared in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court this afternoon.
READ: 4 metro cops nabbed for theft and corruption
"The Chief Financial Officer, Ziphathe Mboneni Cibane was granted R10 000 bail.
The personal assistant, Nomusa Zakwe, and an administration clerk, Njabulo Makhathini were both granted R5000 bail.
Five people, including four employees from the office of KZN Premier @sziks have been arrested on allegations of fraud and corruption in connection with the procurement of a catering tender worth more than R20 million dating back to 2013. @ECR_Newswatch
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) July 30, 2020
The senior administration clerk, Sithembiso Msomi was also granted R5 000 bail.
The service provider which is Gugu Kheswa, a Director in Phumalanga Communications Close Corporation was granted R20 000 bail.
"They will appear in court again on the 2nd of October and they will join their accomplices, which means more arrests are expected in the case," said Mhlongo.
The Office of the Premier says some of the implicated officials have already been placed on precautionary suspension pending the conclusion of internal disciplinary processes.
