Hawks spokesperson, Lynda Steyn, confirms that although they cannot divulge more details on the investigations at this stage, the raid relates to irregular tender processes to several companies. She says the estimated value of the fraud and corruption cases under investigation amounts to about R240 million. OFM News previously reported on contracts with Buthelezi Ambulances, the Gupta-linked company Mediosa, and the purchasing of mobile clinics to the tune of millions that are now mostly gathering dust. This week’s raid at Bophelo House comes just two months after President Cyril Ramaphosa gave the Special Investigating Unit the go-ahead to investigate lucrative contracts in the Free State and the North West Health Departments. OFM News’s Katleho Morapela reports that these provinces shared two of these controversial contracts. 

In the Free State and North West, millions were paid upfront to Mediosa. Both provinces also contracted the services of Buthelezi ambulances. In North West, the Head of the Health Department, Thabo Lekalakala, allegedly helped seal the controversial R180 million Mediosa deal and he was arrested last week with the former Finance MEC, MP Wendy Nelson. They both appeared before the Mmabatho Regional Court and were granted R20 000 bail each. They’re set to re-appear before the court on September 6. Regarding the investigations underway in the Free State, sources have informed the OFM News team that arrests in connection with irregular procurement processes in the province are on the horizon. This, however, is yet to be confirmed by the Hawks. 

 OFM News/Katleho Morapela and Olebogeng Motse