Picture: Two accused persons, Patience Mokhali and Tshegolekae Motaung in court/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
A fraud and corruption case against the former Head of Department of Northern Cape Public Works and Roads, Patience Mokhali (65) and Tshegolekae Motaung (59), who is a Director of Babareki Consulting Engineers was postponed to 11 July 2023 by Kimberley Magistrate’s Court.
Mokhali and Motaung briefly appeared at Kimberley Magistrate’s Court facing charges of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),
fraud, corruption and money laundering. Both accused persons were arrested earlier this morning by the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation team in Kimberley.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Nomthandazo Mnisi said Mkhali was granted a R10 000 bail, while Motaung received a R50 000 bail. In 2003, the Northern Cape Department of Health together with the Department of Roads and Public Works as implementing agent, allegedly embarked on a project to construct a new Mental Health Facility in Kimberley.
Mnisi further said, the original contract was to the amount of R290 million. She added that, it further alleged that, some of the constructed buildings faced possible demolition after R420 million was paid to a liquidated contractor on a project that was originally budgeted for R290 million.
“It was discovered that, the company that was appointed did not have the capacity to render the service, and the contract was terminated whilst money was already paid. Work on the project has since been halted, leaving the facility incomplete and unusable, and at a considerable cost to the Department of Health.
“Officials did not follow the normal procurement procedures when appointing the consultant. Mental health hospital whilst under construction, there were issues of maladministration for the years that the project was ongoing and there was no value for money,” said Mnisi.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Directorate, Major General Stephen Mabuela welcomed the arrest and applauded the investigation team for their diligent work under difficult circumstances. Mabuela said further arrests are imminent.
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