Officials, contractors accused of defrauding state of millions of rands.
THE Hawks are investigating human settlement officials and two contractors for allegedly defrauding the department of millions of rands.
This was confirmed to the Daily Dispatch by Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko. “We cannot give details so far but we are investigating a case of fraud and corruption,” Ramaloko said.
The Dispatch can however reveal that nine officials including a district director have already been suspended for allegedly conniving with contractors by knowingly approving improperly built houses valued at more than R36-million. Two companies are also being investigated by the department and by the Hawks.
This led to the provincial human settlements department embarking on an investigation which so far has revealed maladministration, fraud and corruption.
For the 2014/15 financial year alone, human settlements is to spend R209-million rectifying 2721 defective houses.
Since 2009 to March this year, 21573 defective houses have been rectified by the department and it needs a further R2.3-billion to rectify defective houses.
“We can confirm that there are investigations on allegations of fraud and corruption against our employees and two contractors,” said department spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha.
He said there were nine cases under investigation. “The four cases relate to employees in the OR Tambo region on allegations of fraud and corruption. This case is now at an internal disciplinary hearing.”
OR Tambo district manager Olona Njopini and her three project managers Mkhuseli Ceba, Thandokazi Makhalima and Sipho Cele were served with letters of suspension in November last year.
The four allegedly colluded with a housing contractor, Clifford Mkhombo of Mintirho Business Enterprise, to process claims worth more than R3-million for work not done.
The company, which gives its address in Limpopo, built 300 houses in Mlothana village in Tsolo and 100 houses in Zidingi village, Mqanduli in the last financial year.
The company had five other contracts with the department in 2013/14 financial year worth R27-million and was recently awarded four other projects – two in Mthatha to build 400 houses and another two in Mqanduli for another 550 houses.
The contracts have since been terminated.
Mkhombo confirmed that his contracts with the department had been cancelled but refused to comment and referred the Dispatch to his lawyers.
Sicwetsha said the other five cases related to greening projects. “This case has now been referred to the Hawks,” he said.
“It is our commitment to uprooting fraudulent and corrupt activities.”
He confirmed the suspension of employees in the OR Tambo regional office, however said they could not release their names or details of their suspension at this stage. — mphumziz@dispatch.co.za
Hawks probe housing scam
THE Hawks are investigating human settlement officials and two contractors for allegedly defrauding the department of millions of rands.
This was confirmed to the Daily Dispatch by Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko. “We cannot give details so far but we are investigating a case of fraud and corruption,” Ramaloko said.
The Dispatch can however reveal that nine officials including a district director have already been suspended for allegedly conniving with contractors by knowingly approving improperly built houses valued at more than R36-million. Two companies are also being investigated by the department and by the Hawks.
This led to the provincial human settlements department embarking on an investigation which so far has revealed maladministration, fraud and corruption.
For the 2014/15 financial year alone, human settlements is to spend R209-million rectifying 2721 defective houses.
Since 2009 to March this year, 21573 defective houses have been rectified by the department and it needs a further R2.3-billion to rectify defective houses.
“We can confirm that there are investigations on allegations of fraud and corruption against our employees and two contractors,” said department spokesman Lwandile Sicwetsha.
He said there were nine cases under investigation. “The four cases relate to employees in the OR Tambo region on allegations of fraud and corruption. This case is now at an internal disciplinary hearing.”
OR Tambo district manager Olona Njopini and her three project managers Mkhuseli Ceba, Thandokazi Makhalima and Sipho Cele were served with letters of suspension in November last year.
The four allegedly colluded with a housing contractor, Clifford Mkhombo of Mintirho Business Enterprise, to process claims worth more than R3-million for work not done.
The company, which gives its address in Limpopo, built 300 houses in Mlothana village in Tsolo and 100 houses in Zidingi village, Mqanduli in the last financial year.
The company had five other contracts with the department in 2013/14 financial year worth R27-million and was recently awarded four other projects – two in Mthatha to build 400 houses and another two in Mqanduli for another 550 houses.
The contracts have since been terminated.
Mkhombo confirmed that his contracts with the department had been cancelled but refused to comment and referred the Dispatch to his lawyers.
Sicwetsha said the other five cases related to greening projects. “This case has now been referred to the Hawks,” he said.
“It is our commitment to uprooting fraudulent and corrupt activities.”
He confirmed the suspension of employees in the OR Tambo regional office, however said they could not release their names or details of their suspension at this stage. — mphumziz@dispatch.co.za
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