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PHOTO: Felix Dlangamandla / Gallo Images
- Four more people have been arrested for alleged fraud totaling R2.4 million over the Talana temporary housing unit project in Limpopo.
- The latest defendants are members of the Housing Development Agency (HDA) bid evaluation committee.
- A HDA project manager and a businesswoman were arrested in the same case earlier this week.
Four members of the Housing Development Agency (HDA) bid evaluation committee have been arrested on charges of fraud in relation to the Talana “Covid-19 shack settlement” scandal.
Hawks spokesman Capt.Matimba Maluleke said they were arrested in Johannesburg on Friday and face fraud charges amounting to R2.4 million in connection with the Talana temporary housing unit project on the outskirts of Tzaneen in Limpopo. .
On Thursday, the Hawks arrested Raymond Maoto, HDA project manager, and Constance Mohlala, director of Aventino Group CC in Polokwane.
Housing units came into the spotlight when Limpopo Prime Minister Stan Mathabatha was harshly criticized and embarrassed when he handed over more than 40 temporary Covid-19 tin shelters in August.
At the time, News24 reported that the shelters were described as “expensive shacks.”
At the height of the pandemic, the National Department of Human Settlements and Water Affairs had ordered the construction of temporary shelters for vulnerable people living in inhumane conditions.
The shelters were built in Talana at a cost of R64,000 each and Mathabatha cut a ribbon at the then-celebrated event.
News24 reported that the multi-million rand project was later described by authorities as flawed and sparked a nationwide outcry.
According to Maluleke, the four members of the HDA allegedly endorsed that Aventino Group CC would build the housing units without thoroughly verifying the validity of the documents presented.
Maluleke said it was further alleged that the temporary housing units did not meet design and specifications.
All four are expected to appear in Tzaneen Magistrates Court on Monday.
Maoto and Mohlala are expected to return to court Tuesday to request bail.
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