[ad_1]
Some of these suspects were witnesses before the state capture commission this month.
Members of the Hawks escort one of seven identified suspects for arrest on September 30, 2020 in a case involving an R255m asbestos removal project in the Free State. Photo: Abigail Javier / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – The National Tax Authority (NPA) has confirmed that the suspects arrested in connection with the Free State asbestos project include current and former MECs.
While they cannot be named until they appear in court, Eyewitness news has confirmed that they include Blackhead Director Edwin Sodi, Free State Housing HOD Nthimotse Mokhesi, and the ousted Mangaung Mayor Olly Mlamleli.
The Hawks have warned the remaining suspect on the run in KwaZulu-Natal to cooperate and avoid jeopardizing the possibility of bail.
Six of the seven suspects were arrested in connection with the 255 million rand Free State asbestos audit project.
Three were in the Free State, three in Gauteng and one is still at large in KwaZulu-Natal.
They will be formally appointed when they appear in court, but the NPA’s Sipho Ngwema confirmed their positions.
“It includes former CEOs, department heads, people who were MEC and those people are now suspended executive mayors.”
A special proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa giving the NPA and the Hawks access to state capture commission testimony appears to have sped up the work of these law enforcement agencies, as some of these suspects were witnesses before the commission this month.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
