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Media Statement EASTERN CAPE – Thembisa Silvia Fikeni (44), the director of Izibongo Zam Trading, appeared before East London Magistrate’s Court on 15 November 2024. Her court appearance emanated from her arrest by the East London Serious Corruption Investigation team of the Hawks for charges on fraud, forgery, uttering and theft on 14 November 2024. It is alleged that on 21 August 2020, the Development Section of Amatola Water advertised a tender application for hiring a water tankers to supply water to various communities within Butterworth areas. The other requirement on tender was the possession of licensed water tanker by the prospective service provider. On 28 August 2020, it is further alleged that Fikeni’s company through misrepresentation with the intention to defraud the Amatola Water submitted a fraudulent vehicle registration certificate purporting to have been issued by the relevant Licencing Authorities from the Department of Transport whereas it was not. The submission made Fikeni to be the suitable service provider for the tender and she was awarded a tender to supply water to the aforesaid areas. After the services were rendered the suspect submitted her invoices to Amatola for payment of which it was paid to her business entity. During auditing, discrepancies were picked up and the matter was referred to Specialised Investigation Unit (SIU) where later it was handed over to the Hawks for thorough probe. The investigations by the Hawks confirmed that Amatola Water was actually prejudiced the value of more than R217 000. Further probe led to Fikeni’s arrest by the Hawks on 14 November 2024 Fikeni appeared before East London Magistrates court on 15 November 2024 where she was released on R2500 bail. The matter was remanded to 12 December 2024 for it to be transferred to East London Specialised Commercial Crimes court. Ends
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