Staff Reporter.
The Hawks on Sunday confirmed the arrest of two suspects for allegedly defrauding the National Health Laboratory Services.
This follows a thorough investigation into the allegations of tender fraud at the National Health Laboratory Services amounting to over R14.4 million.
The pair as well as a company, whose name was not disclosed, are expected to appear in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday.
Hawks spokesperson Katlego Mogale said: “The suspects will be answering to charges relating to the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, theft and fraud in the awarding of personal protective equipment tenders.”
It is alleged that around 80% of a R172 million PPE contract facilitated by Johannesburg businessman Hamilton Ndlovu and the National Health Laboratory service was squandered by officials who splurged on luxury personal purchases.
Last year, the ostentatious millionaire caused a scene on social media, as he uploaded photos of a fleet of luxury card purchased at ‘virtually the same time’. Their estimated value totalled R10 million, and alarm bells starting ringing.
Monies received by several other companies from a set of multi-million rand agreements were also identified as ‘alter egos belonging to Ndlovu’. He has since been designated as a non-compliant party, after it was calculated that he owes the taxman R36 million in unpaid bills.
Meanwhile SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said “We have been investigating [possible fraud and corruption relating to dubious PPE procurement at the National Health Laboratory Service] and have made referrals to the Hawks.”