Polokwane businessman arrested for R1.9m tender scam
The accused was handed over by his legal representative on Tuesday (November 15) and was later released on R10 000 bail.
POLOKWANE – The Limpopo Hawks have confirmed the arrest of a Polokwane businessman (43) for defrauding a victim of R1.9m in a tender scam.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke told the Polokwane Review-Observer that the accused was handed over by his legal representative on Tuesday (November 15) and was arrested.
“The accused allegedly approached a victim, who is also a businessman based in Polokwane, and identified himself as a senior official of the Atok mine. He then proposed a business partnership and promised to award him a tender worth R11 million at the mine for installing new pipes and drilling new boreholes for the community,” Maluleke’s statement read.
He added that the victim was requested to pay R1.9 million in order to get the tender.
“The requested money was reportedly paid to the accused but no tender was awarded. A case was opened with the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit and it was discovered that the accused was not employed by the mine, he was just a scammer,” Maluleke said.
After a successful investigation, a warrant of arrest was authorised against the accused.
The accused appeared in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court and was granted R10 000 bail.
His case was postponed to February 23, 2023.
