LIMPOPO – Two Directors, aged 40 and 53, have been served with summons to appear in court following their arrests by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit this week.

According to Provincial Spokesperson, Capt Matimba Maluleke, their arrests were made following discoveries made in an audit of the Limpopo Health Department.

“The department was audited and it was discovered that between 2016 and 2017, an erroneous payment of R753 520 was made to the NPO in Lebowakgomo,” Maluleke said.

It is reported that the department approached the NPO in an attempt to recover its money, but there was no cooperation.

“Further engagement with the NPO was allegedly made and instead of paying back the money, the NPO deposited a fraudulent cheque into the bank account of the department, which later bounced,” Maluleke explained.

The matter was reported to the Hawks in December 2019 for investigation and the Directors and a juristic person (the NPO) were eventually arrested.

“They have been warned to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on 15 December,” concluded Maluleke.

Review spoke Departmental Spokesperson, Neil Shikwambana, who welcomed the arrest of the Directors.

“We are happy with the work of the Hawks. The department will assist however we can in the investigations. We cannot further comment on the matter as it is still under investigation,” he said.