Hawks probe R7 billion corruption scandal

NELSPRUIT – Community safety, security and liaison Head of Department (HOD), Mr Thulani Sibuyi, is being implicated in fraud and corruption totalling a whopping R7 billion.

He appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Thursday and was released on bail of R50 000.

Hawks spokesman Capt Paul Ramaloko said Sibuyi and GNT Security owner Mr Vusi Mashaba were both arrested on Wednesday.

Mashaba is charged with allegedly using an apparent fraudulent tax clearance certificate, worth about

R4 million a month ,when he applied for the tender.

“Our investigation has revealed that there is a total of 18 companies involved and many more arrests are to follow,” Ramaloko warned. He added that, after some local businesses had complained about security contracts awarded to certain companies, the Hawks started with an investigation in 2011 that is still continuing.

According to Ramaloko, GNT Security had apparently not qualified for an advertised tender, yet Sibuyi had allegedly granted them the tender award, knowing full well that the company was apparently not up to standard for it.

Spokesman for the premier, Mr Zibonele Mncwango, said the premier could not formulate an opinion as yet as all the facts had not yet been revealed to his office.

Spokesman for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Mpumalanga, Mr Mpumelelo Masina, said his party welcomed the arrest of the African National Congress Youth League’s regional task team member who was also the HOD.

“The arrest of Thulani Sibuyi by the Hawks did not come as a surprise but as confirmation of a long-held view by many in Mpumalanga that the province had over the past five years been turned into the corruption den of South Africa.”

He said the provincial director general, Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize’s decision to allow Sibuyi back into his post against the backdrop of such serious charges made a mockery of the countless statements and anti-corruption structures that the provincial government had been making over the years.

“Mkhize’s decision not to take any action against Sibuyi reinforces the belief that anyone who is engaged in corruption can do so with impunity in this province.”

Ms Zale Madonsela from COPE, said they welcomed the arrest of Sibuyi as well as the bail amount, and encouraged the law to take its course in ensuring that such tendencies did not continue in the departments.

“We feel that Sibuyi should not go back in office until the charges against him are dropped and urge MEC Shongwe to prove he can practice what he always preaches, namely that corrupt officials should face the consequences of their actions, even in his very own department.” Madonsela