Hawks arrest two suspects for money laundering of over R244 million

The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks), has welcomed the arrest of two suspects for corruption, fraud and money laundering of over R244 million. The pair was arrested during an operation on Thursday 2 July. 

The allegations relate to the company known as Superior Quality Trading which also trades as Rekgonne Community Projects. A criminal case was opened by the Hawks. 

MONEY LAUNDERING, FRAUD AND CORRUPTION

During the investigations of the Estina case, it was discovered that there were irregularities in the financial flow analysis of a certain account.  

“Large amounts of money reported to have deposited into a bank account belonging to the former Chief Financial Officer for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development,” said Colonel Katlego Mogale. 

 In June 2014, Rekgonne Community Projects entered into an agreement with the Free State Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement all projects on behalf of the department for a period of two years.  

“During January 2012 to 1 December 2016, the department is said to have paid over R244 million to Rekgonne Community Projects,” said Mogale. 

“The suspects, 55-year-old director in the company and 49-years-old former Chief Financial Officer in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, received gratification of over R260 000,” added Mogale. 

Superior Quality Trading, which is trading as Rekgonne Community Projects, is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Regional Court on the 3 July 2020.     

The National Head of the Hawks Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya applauded the investigation team for the breakthrough on the arrests. 

“All those who involve themselves in looting state resources shall be secured before courts to account for their roles in looting the taxpayer’s money” said Lebeya.

HAWKS BUST TWO MEN FOR CIGARETTE CONSIGNMENT

Hawks in the Free State arrested two men early last month for alleged corruption regarding cigarettes. The suspects, Intiyaz Vahora (49) and Furkan Farukbhai (25) and two others were approached by the Hawks and South African Revenue Services Customs officials at a storage facility in Estoire, Bloemfontein. 

The Hawks received information that there were units concealing and storing cigarettes for distribution. 

“As the members were about to leave, the owner of the units allegedly approached the Hawks investigating officer to assist him to release the cigarette consignment. It was also established that the same suspect approached the manager of the storage facility to make the rental contract disappear,” said Hawks spokesperson Lynda Steyn.

“On Thursday, the Hawks officer met with the suspect and an accomplice and was paid a R70 000 gratification in order to release the cigarettes. The two, Vahora and Farukbhai were arrested on the spot”, Steyn further said.

An additional R100 000 in cash was also found inside their vehicle.