SIU, Hawks raid properties of company linked to R4.3m PPE probe in Northern Cape

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and Hawks have conducted a search and seizure operation at two residential properties of a company that allegedly received nine dodgy personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts in 2020 from the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works worth approximately R4.3 million.

Search and seizure operation

This follows a search warrant granted on Tuesday by the Boksburg and Galeshewe magistrate’s courts to search the two properties in Galeshewe and Boksburg in Gauteng.

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The properties are listed as places of business for Masedi Star. The company was contracted by various government departments in the Northern Cape for cleaning, disinfecting, sanitising, and deep cleaning provincial government buildings.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said members of the unit and the Hawks executed the search warrant on Wednesday.

They seized books, documents, and communication equipment related to their investigation into alleged corruption involving the nine PPE contracts. No arrests were made.

Prima facie evidence

Kganyago said prima facie evidence obtained by the SIU suggested that there is allegedly a corrupt relationship between Masedi Star and a senior supply chain management official in the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, which resulted in the award of contracts and exchange of monies earned from contracts.

“The SIU is in terms of Proclamation R23 of 2020 investigating Masedi Star contracts.

“The SIU investigation points to possible collusion between Masedi Star and the public works official or having acted in concert and in furtherance of common purpose and conspiracy when allegedly committing offences in contravention of the provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act,” said Kganyago in a statement.

“The SIU investigation comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed Proclamation R23 of 2020, which authorised the SIU to investigate all Covid-19-related contracts in all state institutions in respect of the procurement or contracting for goods, works, and services, during, or in respect of the National State of Disaster, by or on behalf of state institutions.”

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