Former North West head of finance appears in court for R15 million fraud

A former acting head at the Department of Finance in the North West appeared at the Mmabatho Magistrates’ Court for corruption pertaining to a tender amounting to R15 million.

“Geo Paul, aged 61, appeared in court on Tuesday and faces two counts of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),” said police spokesperson Colonel Tlangelani Rikhotso.

Fraudulent dealings

Reports revealed that between July and August 2011, the Department of Finance fraudulently appointed Morake Attorneys to conduct disciplinary proceedings of three senior officials.

It was later alleged that the accused, who was the accounting officer for the Department of Finance at the time, allegedly contravened the PFMA by approving a request for deviation from the competitive bidding process and expanded the scope of services required.

“He allegedly further disregarded a cheaper quotation and failed to take appropriate steps to prevent the unauthorised, irregular and wasteful expenditure to the tune of R15 459 380,18,” said Rikhotso.

READ MORE: Four suspects arrested for R400m airport tender corruption

Case outcome

Police spokesperson added that the provincial head for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Patrick Mbotho thanked the investigation team and the prosecutors involved for their excellent work.

The matter was postponed to 12 June 2023, for the outcome of representation.

KZN Department of Agriculture HOD and acting judge arrest

In September last year, Hawks members from the Durban Serious Corruption Investigation Unit arrested a former KZN Department of Agriculture HOD and acting judge for fraud, corruption and money laundering.

Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo, said it is alleged that the 63-year-old former HOD for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and his accomplice conned a businessman to pay R1 million for a vehicle but did not receive.

“Subsequently, the 62-year-old acting judge, who was a service provider to the department at that time, allegedly paid R300 000 for the same vehicle to the dealership and drove off with the R1.3 million car (of which the business man paid R1 million for) that was later handed over to the HOD,” said Mhlongo at the time.

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