Ndudi Anyim
A Makhado Regional Court has found Vhalenda Zwashu Trading Enterprise guilty on nine counts of fraud and corruption against the Kutama Senthumule Correctional facility
The company, represented by a lawyer, Delecia Sadiki, aged 42, was implicated in an R18 million fraud perpetrated in 2017.
It was gathered that in 2017, Clement Raphalalani, 57, had as a Deputy Director (Procurement Officer) at Kutama Senthumule Correctional facility based in Makhado, awarded a tender to supply different items to the facility worth R1,071,831 to Vhalenda Zwashu Trading Enterprise owned by his apparent lover, Delicia Sadiki without following supply chain processes.
“ The Hawks investigation revealed that in 2017, Raphalalani who was a Procurement Officer at the facility awarded a R 2.7 million tender to Penson Manufacturing Company belonging to Editha Pengson, 57, without following due processes.
“ It was also established that Raphalalani together with Thabo Makamane, 53, who was also a Deputy Director at the facility, also awarded a tender worth R3,588,707 to Durafoam Distributors CC without following due processes.
“ The Kutama Senthumule Correctional Facility suffered a loss of over R18 million due to these corrupt activities. Raphalalani, Sadiki and Vhelenda Zwashu Trading Enterprise together with other companies were arrested during a sting operation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation in December 2018.
“ Raphalalani who is also implicated in other corrupt activities at the facility was found guilty for fraud and corruption by the same court on September 1, 2020.
“ The cases against Vhelenda Zwashu Trading Enterprise, Raphalalani and other accused have been transferred to Giyani Specialised Commercial Crime Court for sentencing on 14 April 2021, ” Captain Matimba Maluleke said for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS).