Members of the Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation team in Welkom were asked in 2021 to investigate the alleged flouting of procurement rules related to the Matjhabeng Local Municipality's appointment of the company.
According to Free State Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Zweli Mohobeleli, investigations revealed that the company had been appointed without a contract. "Only an appointment letter confirming that the security company would be appointed for a period of three months was found. However, this security company continues to work for the municipality," Mohobeleli said.The Hawks' legal team intervened and applied for an interim court order to stop the transfer of the R23 million from the municipality's bank account to the security company.
The Hawks' Free State head, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, warned:"Rest assured, everyone involved in the facilitation of payments to the security company without following rules will be arrested. In addition, we are also looking into recovering everything purchased with monies stolen from the municipality."In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust.