The eighth suspect in the alleged embezzlement of funds earmarked for the construction of the Winnie Mandela Museum in Brandfort has appeared has appeared before the Welkom Magistrates Court facing charges of fraud and theft.
Jan Harm Du Plessis, 41, made an initial appearance on Monday before the case was postponed to Thursday for a formal bail application.
The Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo said in a statement Du Plessis was arrested last Friday at OR Tambo International Airport by the border police.
“This comes after a warrant of arrest was issued against him by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team based in Welkom,” said Singo in the statement.
The other accused who include a former head of the Free State Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, two former municipal managers, a former supply chain director and two companies appeared in the same court last month before being released on bail.
These include Tsoarelo Malakoane, 56, who is now the head of the provincial education department, Monyane Sefantsi, 53, Eunice Aaron, 55, Lodewikus Celliers, 80, Georgia Thubane, 47, Lebogang Sebeela, 47, and the two companies, Architect in Amalgamation and Architect Celliers Greyvenstein Close Corporation.
Collectively, the accused are facing a total of 20 charges relating to a contract that was awarded to the companies unlawfully for the development of the Winnie Mandela Museum.
It is alleged that between January 2008 and December 2010, money was allocated to the Brandfort museum project popularly known as the Winnie Mandela Museum by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture.
The money that was allocated was allegedly misused and the service providers were appointed without following the proper procurement processes.
The project was coordinated by the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the Lejweleputswa District Municipality.
As a result of these fraudulent activities, the department suffered a total loss of more than R700 000.
The municipality was appointed as the implementing agent while the department was responsible for making the money available.
It is believed that Malakoane and Sebeela, as the HOD and supply chain director, respectively, authorised for money to be paid to Lejweleputsa as the implementing agent.
According to the state, Sefatsi, as the municipal manager of Lejweleputswa, paid around R500 000 to Architect Amalgamation without following proper procurement process.
However, Architect Amalgamation was no longer registered with the South African Council for the Architectural Profession at the time the contract was awarded.
Sefatsi later left the municipality and was replaced by Aaron as the municipal manager.
It is further alleged that Aaron paid around R204 000 to Architect Celliers Greyvenstein Closed Corporation despite knowing that the municipality does not have a lawful contract with the company.
As a result, R704 000 was paid to the two companies without a lawful contract and the companies also did not render any service for the money paid to them.
All the accused are expected back in court on November 11 when the matter is expected to continue. – Staff Reporter