A former Eastern Cape government employee and her partner face charges of manipulating a R795,000 tender process to benefit their company.
Key Points:
- Former Eastern Cape government employee and partner arrested for R795,000 tender fraud.
- Qaba and her partner manipulated the fraudulent tender process to benefit ALGOADOX Pty (LTD).
- Authorities will transfer the case to the East London Specialized Commercial Crimes Court for further proceedings.
Arrest of former government employee and partner
Police arrested a former Eastern Cape government employee and her partner. They allegedly manipulated a tender process worth R795,000 in 2013 to benefit their company.
Sibongile Qaba, 38, who worked in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) division of the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism, and her partner, Ngwekazi Aphiwe Makaba, 33, the sole director of ALGOADOX Pty (LTD), appeared in Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Manipulated tender process uncovered
Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, a spokesperson for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), said the arrests followed a decade-old scheme. This scheme involved the manipulation of a government tender process.
“Qaba advised a senior manager to fast-track the process to ensure that ALGOADOX Pty (LTD) received the tender. Her partner, the company director, owned,” Mhlakuvana said.
Fraudulent deal caused financial loss
The tender, issued on Dec. 10, 2013, involved printing materials on air quality, waste management, and climate change. Authorities allege Qaba used her position in the SCM division to steer the contract toward ALGOADOX. Her partner owns this company.
Investigators say the fraudulent scheme caused a financial loss of R795,000 for the department.
“A meticulous investigation by the Hawks confirmed the allegations, that Qaba and her partner orchestrated the tender process. They did so in order to appoint their business as a service provider,” Mhlakuvana said.
Bail granted and case postponed
The court granted both suspects bail of R2,000 each. They postponed their case to May 14 and will transfer it to the East London Specialized Commercial Crimes Court by then.
