The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Bloemfontein have made another breakthrough in the Free State Department of Public Works fraud amounting to more than R13 million. Two employees have been arrested thus far.
These arrests are the culmination of an investigation that began in December 2019, after suspected fraud was discovered internally, and then reported to the elite crime fighting unit.
The latest culprit, Ditaba Johannes Mokhutle (33), will stand trial with co-accused Boitumelo Poonyane in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 4 November. They are charged with fraud and theft. Mokhutle briefly appeared in court on Tuesday, 18 October, following his arrest on Monday. He was granted bail of R3 000. Poonyane was arrested in August last year and has also been released on bail.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson of the Hawks, said the pair allegedly tried to divert more than R13 million from the department to a company known as Waltons Trading Enterprise CC, although the company did not render any services towards the department. He said the plan regarding fraudulent transactions was discovered during December 2019. Singo said Poonyane has reappeared in court regarding the matter.
