Former KZN transport official's assets seized, pending corruption case
The assets of an official in the KZN Department of Transport have been seized - along with those of a Durban couple he apparently colluded with to steal from the state.
The Hawks say Siphiwe Majola irregularly awarded tenders to companies owned by Meganathan and Nesha Govender, in return for kickbacks.
The Govenders apparently claimed excessive amounts of money from the department, often for services not provided.
Hawks spokesperson, Simphiwe Mhlongo says the Pietermaritzburg High Court granted an order for the NPA Asset Forfeiture Unit to raid their properties and have their bank accounts frozen.
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Mhlongo says houses, farms, luxury vehicles and cattle belonging to Majola and the Govenders worth more than half-a-billion rand are among the assets seized yesterday.
" The investigation started in 2010 by the Hawks anti-corruption task team. In 2014, we charged the suspects - the accused and his accomplices. They've started to appear in court. Now, it is the finalisation of the investigation because the trial is going to start in June," he said.
The Transport Department's Kwanele Ncalane says Majola was dismissed more than a year ago after a disciplinary hearing.