The suspects are allegedly involved in the Department of Health's R74 million tender scandal. The Hawks provincial spokesperson, Nomathandazo Mnisi, says the case was postponed to 15 September for the state to prepare documentation for the defense attorney. The suspects were arrested for allegedly manipulating the process for the awarding of a building renovation tender in various Northern Cape towns between 2013 and 2014.

They were arrested in July by the Hawks' serious organised crime unit, and have been granted bail of between R5 000 and R10 000. The suspects include a former Department Chief Executive Officer and his daughter.

The arrests came after reports of irregularities in the awarding of tenders surfaced. Investigations revealed that proper procedures were not followed in the awarding of various tenders to service providers. Mnisi said that according to information the provincial department allegedly suffered a R74 million prejudice in a contract valued at R494 million.

Eight suspects, Melisa Joys Barnes (36); Godfrey Boitumelo Moncho (51); Graham Whitten (64); Eugene Magalty (46)’ Derrick McDillon (61); Carlo Whitten (40); Beryl McDillon (60) and Mervin Ruiters (72), were arrested on July 6.

The ninth and tenth suspects are the department's former Chief Executive Officer Gordon Moncho (51) and his daughter, Naledi Moncho (28), who were arrested two days after the arrests of the other eight suspects.

OFM News