North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety & Liaison, Ms Desbo Mohono has warned businesspersons against unscrupulous operators who promise tenders-for-sale and has called upon those who might also have been swindled or approached with similar offers to come forward for fraud and corruption in the construction industry to be uprooted.
“Business is given a bad name by tenderpreneurs who seek to cut corners in order to get rich at the wink of an eye,” says MEC Mohono who has urged police not to leave any stone unturned in their investigations.
According to police, four people were arrested over the weekend for allegedly swindling a Mahikeng business woman R15 000 by promising her a R16.5million contract for construction of toilets in the Mahikeng Local Municipality.
The syndicate constituted by three men and a woman all of whom are not municipal employees is said to have used Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality letterheads and official stamps to defraud their victims. Police say that they operated within the District municipality, Ratlou and Tswaing municipalities.
The woman had reportedly paid over R15 000 of the R250 000 that the syndicate had asked in return for awarding the tender but became worried when she was pressurised the balance. She reported the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Unit, the Hawks on Friday and a trap that led to the arrest of the syndicate was set up and two suspects arrested. Two others were arrested on Saturday.
The foursome aged between 29 and 40 are expected to appear in the Magistrates Court on Monday.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: (018) 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
Email: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Leave no stone unturned in tender-for-sale investigation, MEC Mohono urges Hawks
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