Among those who were arrested this morning is a suspect said to be a provincial Department of Health accounting officer. Hawks spokesperson Tebogo Thebe said the department suffered a loss of R17 million through the contravention and dubious conduct.

The suspects will be charged with fraud, corruption, and money laundering and are expected to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate's Court Wednesday morning.

“Nine suspects and two company directors were arrested on J50 warrants. Among the arrested is the acting accounting officer of the Northern Cape Department of Health. The department suffered a loss of R17 million."

OFM News previously reported that a disgraced former head of the Northern Cape Health Department was found guilty of contravening the supply chain management process and was sentenced to jail or a fine.

This is despite the department having lost millions of rands following shoddy procumbent processes. 

Former HOD Dion Theys was sentenced to a fine of R150 000 or three years imprisonment of which R100 000 or two years imprisonment is suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence again.

The Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crime Court convicted and sentenced Theys on Wednesday (16/8) on three counts.

OFM News previously reported the Hawks arrested Theys after it emerged that in March 2014 he used his position to sign three lease agreements with JP Hugo's residence for nursing accommodation without following proper procurement processes. Hawks spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi said the cost of these lease agreements is more than R96 million.

Theys was arrested in March 2021 by the Hawks and made numerous court appearances until his sentencing. His contravention of Section 86 (1) of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, was committed during the time of the suspension. The accused has been declared unfit to possess a firearm.

OFM News