| 2024/06/28 |
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Media Statement EASTERN CAPE – Mthatha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) of the Hawks arrested Nceba Ntlokwana (43) and his business entity, Squad Five Productions CC on 26 June 2024 for charges of fraud, forgery and uttering. It is alleged that in January 2020, the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlement (ECDHS) advertised a tender for the appointment of a service provider to supply and erect 292 temporary shelters in the OR Tambo region. Among the pre-qualifications of the specification when the tender was advertised was that the prospective service provider must have a business in the OR Tambo region and also previous experience in similar projects. At the close of bids, eight tender documents were reportedly received by the department with Squad Five Production CC included. Ntlokwana, the director of Squad Five Production, allegedly submitted a tender document with a proof of business address in Mthatha, OR Tambo region and a certificate of completion of works issued by eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Based on the documentation submitted, both the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) and the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) recommended and subsequently awarded the tender to the amount of more than R18.3 million to Squad Five Production CC. During the supply and erection period, a whistle was blown about the irregular awarding of a tender which led to the investigation by the Hawks. The investigation revealed that the proof of business address on the lease agreement and the certificate of completion of work were indeed fraudulent. The owner of the property reportedly had no knowledge of the lease agreement and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality rejected the certificate of completion of work. At the time of whistle blowing, the department was already prejudiced more than R6 million. On 26 June 2024, Ntlokwana and his company were arrested by the Hawks and made a short appearance before Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court where they were released on R10 000 bail. The matter is remanded to 27 August 2024 for docket contents. The Acting Provincial Head Brigadier Fernando Luis gave a thumbs up to the investigating team for their swiftness in finalising the investigation for the perpetrator to face Lady Justice sooner than expected. Ends
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