The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation units’ investigations into the alleged defrauding of the Free State Department of Human Settlements in a R1,1 million low-cost housing project in the Nala Local Municipality, has yielded in the arrest of five suspects including the construction company.
Three of the four individuals fingered in the case were released on warning but with the obligation to reappear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 10 June. The fourth suspect, development officer Thulo Majoe (59), is expected to reappear alone in court on Friday, 16 May.
Those released are Kitso Knowledge Timenyane (51), director of the Bavukile Trading CC company which was awarded the tender, Wouter Kruger (52), consulting engineer, and Lesego Saru (44), project manager. The suspects briefly appeared in court on 15 May following their arrest by the Hawks.
Lt. Col Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the construction company, Bavukile Trading, has been added to the list of accused. The four individuals were arrested in Bothaville, Welkom, and Bloemfontein, respectively, on Wednesday.
Mohobeleli said the preliminary charges include fraud, theft, and money laundering.
“Evidence to this effect was presented before the prosecution. As a result, warrants for their arrest were issued. In May 2021, the Department of Human Settlements appointed a service provider to build 47 foundations in Bothaville as part of the first phase of the project. Over R1,1 million was paid to the service provider. However, it was later discovered that only 14 foundations were built despite the department being billed for 47,” he said.
