Three men, one of them the Deputy Director of Disaster Management under Cogta, were released on bail after they were arrested for fraud and the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

Raymond Manzini (45) together with Chris Manzini (33) and Moses Ndlovu (61) together with the business entity Zalabantu Estate Trust appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court yesterday. They were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.

The men were arrested after an investigation was launched about a tender, advertised by the department of Cogta, to supply Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The state allege that the tender and appointment process were not followed and that Ndlovu was appointed unlawfully because of influence by Manzini (45).

In a statement, Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, claims that after he was awarded the tender, Ndlovu did not have the resources to supply the PPE and was financially assisted by Manzini.

Sekgotodi claims that their investigation shows that after Ndlovu was paid by the department, he paid Manzini  R6m by depositing the amount into his younger brother Chris’ account.

The accused were granted bail of R15 000 each and the matter was postponed until July 28.

Sekgotodi says that more arrests are going to be made.

Major General Zodwa Mokoena reassured the communities that, ‘the Hawks shall not keep quiet when the state resources are being misused’.

She warned government employees to follow the correct procurement procedures.