The Department of Priority Crimes Investigation (Hawks) swooped in on the home of Newcastle roads contractor Roshan Dheochand this morning on what is now day three of its high-level probe of the local municipality, reports Newcastle Advertiser.

The Hawks arrived at the municipal building on Tuesday while senior staff and members of the council were attending a strategic planning meeting just outside the town.

They then proceeded to close off the exits to the building before seizing documentation from the Department of Supply Chain Management. Electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops, of senior managers were also seized.

Dheochand operates Sizela Transport, a Newcastle-based road construction company registered in September 2001, which was awarded numerous contracts by the municipality over the years.

Municipal sources claim that the Hawks appear to be looking into allegations of corrupt relationships Dheochand is said to have with certain senior officials, including the head of the Roads Department, Nsele Malibongwe.

However, the municipality has not yet responded to a media enquiry asking for confirmation and clarity in this regard. Attempts to reach Dheochand telephonically were unsuccessful at the time of publishing. This story will be updated with Dheochand’s comment once we are able to reach him.

National Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo says she is still unable to share details of the investigation.

She confirms that no arrests have yet been made as the investigations are still at an early stage.

Regarding the raid at Dheochand’s home, Mbambo states, “The officers are conducting their normal duties as part of the ongoing investigation.”

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