Tebogo Msimanga |
A 35-year-old messenger in the office of the Member of Executive Council (MEC) for the Department of Health appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Thursday 8 July 2021 immediately after the arrest for alleged charges of fraud and forgery and uttering
It is alleged that on 7 September 2020, Ayanda Matinise pretended to be the Director of Supply Chain in the Health Provincial Office, forged a tender award letter to a service provider for Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The service provider was to deliver N95 masks to the cash value of more than R23, 4 million to OR Tambo District Department of Health offices.
Captain Yolisa Mgolodela of Eastern Cape Hawks said It is reported that the service provider submitted invoices for payment to be effected after delivering the PPE’s. “The procurement committee knew nothing about the awarding of such tender. The service provider was then requested to bring the award letter.”
Mgolondela further said on scrutinising the letter, it was discovered that the content including signatures was fraudulent.
“This case forms part of many cases that have been reported to the Hawks concerning the unlawful awarding of PPE tenders ranging from R4 million to R260 million ever since the onset of Covid-19 at the beginning of 2020. This is the second arrest and more arrests are imminent.”
Matanise was released on R1000 bail. The matter was remanded to 31 August 2021 for trial.
