NPA spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the four accused are out on bail. Their bail conditions determine they should not evade court at their next appearance, refrain from interfering with witnesses, and inform the investigating officer should they wish to leave their area of residence.  

The accused in the case are Tebogo van Wyk (40), Nothando Dube (44), Sipho Levy Phiri (39), Thabang Mohlokoleng (54), and three companies – Batsamai Investment Holdings, Sevilex Investment Holdings, and Lavao Estevao (PTY) Ltd. They were arrested by the Hawks in September 2022 on 34 counts, including fraud, corruption, money laundering, and the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act.

The court has ordered the state and the defence attorneys to exchange further particulars relating to the case. The state is also ordered to respond to Mohlokoleng’s intended submission of representations, as indicated by his attorney, before the set pretrial date.

#sapsHQ 4 suspects, former HOD in the Department of Transport, NW & 3 employees of a service provider appeared in the Mahikeng Magistrates court this morning, 30/9/22 following their arrests by North West’s #Hawks for R400 million tender corruption. TMhttps://t.co/QehHeDhtif pic.twitter.com/3ysS0ynzeE

— SA Police Service ???? (@SAPoliceService) September 30, 2022

The office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions has also authorised more charges of racketeering to be added and for the matter to be centralised, as some offences were committed in the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Local Division.

Investigations revealed at least R400 million, which was allocated by the provincial government to reintroduce commercial aircraft to two airports, Mahikeng and Pilanesberg, was misused. R183 million was 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 R51 million was channelled irregularly through the charged companies.

“The irregularly secured agreement is said to have been signed by the four accused.”

“The provincial government allegedly appointed SA Express as a service provider to render the service, but this was done without following the proper supply chain management processes. The irregularly secured agreement is said to have been signed by the four accused.”

Mohlokoleng signed on behalf of the Department of Transport as the then Accounting Officer, in his capacity as the head of the department. The deal was allegedly riddled with procurement irregularities and monies were paid for services not rendered. All companies appointed to do the ground handling services were indirectly owned by Dube and Phiri.

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