Nelspruit – An Mpumalanga co-operative governance department official and his wife appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on corruption charges, the Hawks said.

Former head of department Sam Ngubane, who is now the department’s chief director of development and planning, and his wife Angel, who also worked in the department, were arrested earlier in the day, said Captain Paul Ramaloko.

Ngubane allegedly received R2 million in kickbacks, through his wife’s account, for a tender awarded to Takitsi Trading in 2008 as part of the department’s Water For All project. The contract was cancelled after three months, because of over-expenditure, but the company allegedly continued to be paid.

The couple would appear again on Friday. They remained in custody.

“The arrest of two (Takitsi) company directors is imminent,” Ramaloko said.

The Democratic Alliance welcomed Ngubane’s arrest and hoped it would send a message to all those in public office who were considering involvement or were involved in tender corruption, said DA human settlements spokesman James Masango.

“(The Water For All project) served as a haven for mismanagement of funds and the total disregard of thousands of communities across the province who suffer because they have no access to clean water,” he said.

Sapa