Former Sassa head and other government officials in court for R700m fraud

11 December 2019 - 18:22 By Naledi Shange
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Former Sassa head Edward Makiwane was among several government officials in court in Kimberley on Wednesday on fraud charges.
Former Sassa head Edward Makiwane was among several government officials in court in Kimberley on Wednesday on fraud charges.
Image: South African Gov‏ via Twitter

Former Sassa head Edward Makiwane and other top government officials appeared in the Kimberley Regional Court on Wednesday on charges of fraud and contravention of the Public Financial Management Act.

Makiwane, along with former provincial head of sports, arts and culture Henry Esau, former head of agriculture Wonders Mothibi and the Trifecta group of companies, are alleged to have swindled around R700m from the government.

“It is alleged that in March 2006, the Trifecta group of companies secured contracts through influential government officials,” said Col Katlego Mogale.

"The company inflated rates and charged exceptionally high rates on premises that they leased to government departments.

"Bribes were paid to ensure that monthly rentals were paid in time, without proper invoicing - and to suppress all the faults contained in the building."

The group was served with a summons last month.

Following a brief appearance in court, their case was postponed to February 17 next year.


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