This follows the arrest of 39-year-old, Sipho Phiri, 40-year-old Tebogo Van Wyk, 44-year-old Nothando Dube and 54-year-old Thabang Mohlokoleng. 

The four suspects were arrested in North West and Gauteng by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team on 29 September 2022.

North West NPA spokesperson, Henry Mamothame says the suspects have been charged on 34 counts which include fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

Mamothame adds the North West government reportedly appointed SA Express as a service provider without following the proper supply chain management processes.

The irregularly secured agreement is said to have been signed by the four accused. He adds that Mohlokoleng signed on behalf of the Department of Transport as the then Accounting Officer in his capacity as the Head of the Department (HOD).

The deal was riddled with procurement irregularities and monies were paid for services not rendered. The accused appeared in Molopo Magistrates court last week and their case was postponed until March next year.

“The state has requested this postponement to await the outcome of its application to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution for charges of racketeering to be added to the charge sheet and to further have the matter centralized in the North West jurisdiction - as other offences were committed in Gauteng. Meanwhile, the four are out on bail and they are expected back in court when the matter resumes in March 2023,” says Mamothame.

He further adds that Van Wyk was granted R500 000 bail, R35 000 for Dube, R150 000 for Phiri and R50 000 for Mohlokoleng.

In 2014 the North West government embarked on a process to reintroduce commercial aircraft to the province’s two airports, Mahikeng and Pilanesberg, on a subsidy estimated at R400 million. He adds that the amount of R183 million was then paid to SA Express between 2015 and 2017 for the services rendered by the ground management companies, which Van Wyk, Dube and Phiri are linked to. The state alleges that off the R83 million, an amount of R51 million was channelled irregularly through the charged companies.

Mamothame says particulars related to the case have been shared with defence attorneys, and the state has committed to share the remaining documents before the matter resumes in March 2023. He says the bail conditions of the suspects include that they should not evade court on the next appearance, refrain from interfering with witnesses, and inform the investigating officer should they wish to leave their area of jurisdiction.

He also said that the case was recommended for investigation by the Zondo Commission, and the DPCI will continue the investigations as recommended. This will be conducted in phases, with a possibility of more charges and arrests being affected.

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