Nine suspects to appear in court over R75m Alfred Nzo municipal fleet scandal

By Thapelo Molefe

Nine suspects, including former senior officials and two corporate entities, are expected to appear in the Maxesibeni Magistrate’s Court on Thursday following their arrest by the Hawks in connection with alleged fraud, corruption and money laundering linked to a R75 million yellow fleet contract at the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.

In a statement, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation said its Serious Corruption Investigation and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation units, supported by the Tactical Response Team and National Intervention Unit, executed the arrests on Wednesday. 

The suspects, aged between 43 and 73, were apprehended in various localities, including areas outside the Eastern Cape.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the case is related to “the alleged unlawful awarding and execution of a municipal contract by the Alfred Nzo District Municipality [from 2015 to 2018].”

He said the investigation was initiated after a whistleblower alerted authorities