Hawks says more arrests imminent linked to catering tender fraud case
Members of the Hawks are preparing to swoop on more suspects, as they deepen their probe into the corrupt handling of a multi-million rand tender system in KZN.
Five people were arrested on fraud and
corruption charges yesterday, four of them work in the Premier’s office.
They include Premier Sihle Zikalala's personal assistant, Nomusa Zakwe and chief financial officer, Ziphathe Cibane.
The catering tender - worth more than R20 million - dates back to 2013.
The fifth suspect is Gugu Kheswa, a service provider and the director of Phumalanga Communications.
READ: Four officials from KZN premier's office accused of corruption granted bail
The group was granted bail in the Durban Commercial Crimes Court yesterday.
Hawks spokesperson, Simphiwe Mhlongo, says they’re accused of manipulating procurement processes so that tenders are awarded to certain service providers.
"The Hawks believe there is sufficient evidence that can
prove that these officials indeed did what they were not supposed to do and they
benefitted somehow," said Mhlongo.
