The police’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) swooped on several properties across the country on Sunday in connection with alleged dodgy education tenders amounting to R114 million.
Raids were conducted by more than 14 teams across Mpumalanga, the Western Cape, Limpopo, and Gauteng. Among those targeted were government officials, businesspeople, and even self-professed men of God.
It follows an investigation, reportedly started in 2018, into tenders awarded by the Department of Education for the maintenance and repair of school buildings. In some cases, the repairs were not needed.
Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber called it “a typical example of organised corruption”, in which service providers were handpicked and colluded.
“We are looking today to arrest 41 suspects. That includes government officials, private individuals, pastors, and entities which were involved in the fraudulent scheme.
“Organised crime is everywhere, and in the government, unfortunately, this is part of it. People high up in the government and the department are involved,” he told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika.
Gerber said some arrests had been made, with others to follow.
“The ones that we don’t find today, it’s not a problem. We will get them, contact them, and they will probably come and hand themselves over. If not, we will look for them, and we will find them.”
SIU investigating Mpumalanga boarding schools
President Cyril Ramaphosa last year authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to look into serious maladministration at the Mpumalanga education department in connection with six tenders.
“The SIU will investigate the procurement and contracting for the supply of foodstuffs between 2012 and 2022 by or on behalf of the Department in relation to the following schools:
- Shongwe Boarding School
- Izimbali Boarding School
- Ezakheni Boarding School
- ThabaChweu Boarding School
- Emakhazeni Boarding School
- Steve Tshwete Boarding School
“The probe will also examine whether the payments for these contracts adhered to national treasury guidelines and ascertain whether the payments were irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures or financial losses for the department or the state.
“Furthermore, the SIU will seek to establish if there was unlawful or improper conduct by the department employees, officials, agents, and any other person or entity to corruptly or unduly benefit themselves or others.”
The investigation would cover not only the period mentioned but also through January 2025.
Tablet and laptop tender
The province’s education department was recently rocked by a tablet scandal, in which a R224 million tender was awarded for tablets and laptops for Grade 12 learners. Some of these devices were allegedly faulty and a waste of money.
The department denied the claims of wastage and any wrongdoing in awarding the tender.
“The Department reiterates that all procurement processes were lawful, strategic, and aligned to improving learner outcomes.
“Claims of wastage, inflated costs, or non-functional devices are factually incorrect and misleading.
“The Department remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the effective use of technology to advance quality education for all learners throughout the province,” it said last month.
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