The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in Germiston arrested a 44-year-old man for alleged fraud and corruption involving approximately R64 million tender scam.
The suspect was an Information Technology (IT) manager at one of the well-known South African mobile network service providers. It is alleged that during the period 2012 to 2019, he colluded with a director of a contracted entity responsible for IT and network services at his workplace. They reportedly inflated invoices which resulted in an actual loss of over R64 million to the mobile network provider.
The Hawks investigation which culminated in his arrest on Wednesday, 20 January 2021, ensued in 2020 following an internal audit that was done at the cell phone company.
The former executive is expected to face fraud and corruption charges in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court today, 22 January 2021. The investigation is continuing and more arrests are expected.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya commended the team for the arrest and looks forward to seeing all those involved have their day in court.
