Staff Reporter
The former head of the Free State Department of Health, Dr David Motau, together with three other ex-officials, two current officials and five company directors and their companies have appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court facing charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act, forgery, uttering, fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Motau, 54, who resigned from the provincial health department a few months ago, made his initial court appearance on Monday together with Motsumi Polori, 47, and Kenosi Legobate, 45, who are still employees of the department.
The other former employees are Mietjies Johns, 63, John Chakane, 65, Maria Mabitle, 62, and Lebohang Beqeze.
They were joined by Tsietsi Polori, Thabo Moeti, Mavuso Kwababa, Simon Njonga and Charity Moloi who were the directors of the companies into which the money was paid.
The companies are Tsa Rona Consultancy, Azrago, Land Breeze Trading, Amakholwa Consultancy Training and Zen Communications.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said in a statement the accused are facing a total of 304 charges.
The state alleges that between January 2011 and December 2015 the officials facilitated and approved payments of claims for services that were not rendered by these companies.
“The companies were used by department officials as vehicles to commit the offences because they never rendered any service to the department,” said Shuping.
“The department processed and approved payments to the total amount of R8.7 million in favour of these companies between January 2011 and December 2015,” he explained.
At least R2 758 978 was allegedly paid to Tsa Rona while Siphilile Investment was paid R125 982.00.
Azrago received R97 500 and about R704 520 was paid into the account of Land Breeze Trading.
Amakholwa Consultancy and Zen Communications were paid R1 508 462 and R3 565 868 respectively.
“All the payments were fraudulent because none of the companies rendered any service to the department,” Shuping pointed out.
The accused have been released on bail ranging from R2 000 to R5 000.
The case was postponed to September 22 for a High Court date.