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As efforts to end bid fraud and looting in the government accelerate, forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan has uncovered an attempt by an ANC official to defraud KwaZulu-Natal of R184m. This comes as the South African public is still reeling from the discovery that Covid-19 relief funds have been misused by various state entities, including the labor department, provincial departments, and the Government Information and Communication System. (GCIS).. In one case, GCIS allegedly paid around R15,000 for a digital thermometer, which sells for less than R1,000 in stores, to look for signs of Covid-19. Rampant corruption has prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to speak through a letter to the ANC. In it, he warns members for using state resources to profit themselves by creating bogus companies to bid for lucrative tenders. However, it appears that Ramaphosa has a gigantic task on his hands, as evidenced by the story of this ANC KZN official who was caught trying to “steal” R100m. – Bernice Maune
By Bernice Maune
Upscale Property, owned by Thulani Xulu, a KwaZulu-Natal MPL ANC, and Rebosis Property Fund, a company founded by Dr. Sisa Ngebulana, were shortlisted for a contract to provide office space to the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Matters.
However, a notice from a member of the department alerted Ngebulana that Upscale Property would receive the contract, even though it did not meet the basic requirements of the tender.
O’Sullivan then conducted an investigation that found that Xulu had recruited his daughter, Silindile, as the sole director of the company, paving the way for him to receive the funds as a silent partner. The tender documents also reveal that Upscale Properties had submitted a tender offer for R184m while Rebosis Property Fund had tendered for R79m, a difference of R104m.
Read also: CR Covid-19 files: R14,750 for a digital thermometer paid by taxpayers
According to the investigation, it was established that Upscale Property would be awarded the contract despite not having a business location or office, there are no employees in the company documents, and the company was opened three weeks before the tender.
Furthermore, the documents show that;
- Silindile is the daughter of Thulani and is the co-owner of the company.
- Mr. SS Buthelezi is an employee of the Department of Public Works and is listed as Deputy Director of Supply Chain Management. He approved the Xulus tender despite seeing evidence that it did not meet the requirements.
- The luxury property was likely created as a vehicle to divert funds from the treasury, as it has no history of providing rental services.
- The company does not have a digital presence nor has it conducted any business prior to the tender.
See the documents below that detail the alleged bid fraud:
Who is Paul O’Sullivan and why does he fight bad guys? Listen to this fascinating interview with him, on The Alec Hogg Show:
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