Senior ANC member linked to State Capture hands himself over to police

A senior African National Congress (ANC) member and former MP has handed himself over to police at the Alberton Police Station in Gauteng on Thursday morning, 1 October. The former MP cannot be named as yet, however, he faces charges linked to money he allegedly received from South African company Bosasa. 

The controversial company is alleged to have dished out bribes to a number of senior government officials and politicians, in exchange for lucrative state contracts. The ANC member appeared early in September to testify at the State Capture Commission regarding any dodgy deals that may have occurred. 

ANC MEMBER TO APPEAR IN COURT 

The ANC member who was also the Chairperson of the Correctional Services Portfolio Committee, was expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on charges of fraud and corruption. 

Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Twala said he was going to be arrested when it was decided that there would be cooperation whereby he would avail himself at the Alberton Police Station. 

“He is appearing on charges of fraud and corruption and is appearing with two others. One is a company of the two,” she told The South African. 

Twala said a statement with further details regarding the ANC member would be released once the court session had ended. She also said any case identified by her department is related to the State Capture Commission and high priority crimes. 

HAWKS ARREST SENIOR GOV OFFICIALS IN R255M ASBESTOS CORRUPTION CASE 

On Wednesday 30 September, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) arrested six suspects during a simultaneous operation in the Free State, Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng on allegations of fraud and corruption in relation to the 2014 Free State Asbestos Project.

Among those arrested are three senior government officials, three businessmen and five companies. The accused face 60 charges which include corruption, fraud, money laundering in contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (POCA) as well as Contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). 

The arrests emanate from a joint investigation by the Free State Serious Corruption Investigation, Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). This followed a referral from the SIU under Proclamation R39 of 2019, which led to the subsequent criminal investigation by the Hawks who worked closely with the NPA and its various units.

“The allegations relate to a contract that was awarded through a procurement process that was done in a fraudulent and corrupt manner. In addition, certain public officials received gratification from the contracted company and/or an individual amounting to several counts of corruption,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi. 

The contract was meant to identify and remove asbestos roofs in the Free State province and failed to conduct due diligence process before participating in the contract.