On Wednesday, 8 December 2010, nine accused including a former Group Executive of South African Revenue Service (SARS) and academics at University of South Africa appeared in Pretoria Magistrate’s court for tender fraud. They are all facing charges of fraud, money laundering, racketeering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act after being arrested yesterday by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Serious Economic Crimes Unit and SARS Anti-Corruption and Security Unit.
The accused are: Dr Mandisa Mokwena (SARS former Deputy Commissioner), Emilie kinfack Djoumessi, Nancy Ashuma Akinboade, Maria Notshi Phake, Mankwane Daisy Makofane, Buti Baloyi and Bernard Mokwena, Oludele Akinloye Akinboade and Kenny Boshego. They have all been granted bail ranging from R30 000 to R10 000 and their case was postponed to 24 February 2011 for further investigations.
The alleged offences which were committed during the period September 2007 to May 2009, relate to allegations concerning procurement irregularities involving individuals attached to SARS Segment and Research Division. It is alleged that during this period some SARS officials and service providers colluded in defrauding SARS in about 45 transactions to the amount of over 11 million. The service providers were contracted by SARS to provide research and training.
It is believed that all these service providers were associates, friends and former academic acquaintances of Dr Mokwena, the then Head of the SARS Segment and Research Division who together with Mr Lesley Moonsamy played a critical role in facilitating these fraudulent transactions. Dr Mokwena resigned from SARS a year ago.
In essence, the accused allegedly circumvented SARS supply chain management and procurement procedures to ensure that several contracts were awarded to service providers associated with them. The arrest and court appearance of the accused are a result of a joint investigation by SARS Anti-Corruption, Security Unit and the Serious Economic Crimes Unit of SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Enquiries:
Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga
Cell: 072 198 6863
E-mail: mcmhaga@npa.gov.za
Source: National Prosecuting Authority
