FREE STATE – Thirteen accused appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s court on Monday, 02 August 2021 where they faced charges of fraud, forgery, uttering, money laundering, and corruption. They were arrested on Friday, 30 July 2021 and in the early hours of today by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein. Among those who were arrested on Friday are: Motsumi Krisjan Polori (46), Sarah Kenosi Legobate (44) both employees at the department of Health and five company directors, who are John Tsietsi Polori (50), Thabo Moeti (39), Mavuso Victor Kwababa (49), Simon Njonga (40) , Lebohang Beqezi (37). Six who were arrested this morning are: David Motau (54), Sarah Kenosi Legobate(44) , Mietje Johns (61), Limakatso Catharine Mabitle (62), Hillary Colleen Kala (56), John Motsemme Chakane (65) all of them are government employees and one company director Mmalefa Charity Moloi (39)
It is alleged that during the course of the regulatory audit in the Department of Health, the audit team from the Auditor-General requested information on certain payments to service providers and subsequently queried the procurement processes that were followed. As a result, an internal investigation followed whereby it was discovered that false or forged “requests for payment advices” were submitted during the period of January 2011 until December 2015 for payments with regards to the service providers. It is further alleged that no evidence could be found whether the actual services were rendered by the service providers.
A total amount of more than R8 million was paid to the service providers. As a result the Department of Health was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of more than R8 million. The matter was then reported to the police and a case was handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein for further investigation which led to the arrest of the accused. The case against the accused has been postponed to Wednesday, 22 September 2021. David Motau and Motsumi Krisjan Polori as well as John Tsietsi Polori Released on a R5000 bail each whilst the other accused where released on a R2000 bail each.
