House and vehicles seized by Asset Forfeiture Unit in Covid-19 fraud case

THE High Court in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, has issued a preservation order that empowers law enforcement officials to seize several assets that were allegedly acquired fraudulently through funds meant to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

It is alleged that the Mpumalanga Department of Health lost millions of rand during the Covid-19 pandemic as an official working in a director's office engaged in fraudulent activities.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, said through the secretary's fraudulent activities, the provincial department suffered a loss of almost R5 million in 2020.

“According to information, the secretary colluded with two service providers and allegedly faked the purchase and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE). As a result, the service providers unlawfully benefitted from the products that were never delivered,” said Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.