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Hawks made arrests in connection with a Free State asbestos tender.
Felix Dlangamandla, Gallo Images, Netwerk24
- The SIU has clarified that the arrests of asbestos audit tender suspects were the result of a one-year joint investigation.
- Evidence heard before the Zondo commission this week from several implicated businessmen and former government officials will only be added if relevant at a later stage.
- The SIU and Hawks investigation continues, and those arrested are expected in a Bloemfontein court on Friday.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has clarified the arrests in an operation on Wednesday related to a 2014 Free State asbestos audit bid worth 255 million rand had nothing to do with the evidence heard before the Zondo commission. this week.
SIU spokesman Kaizer Kganyago told News24 on Wednesday afternoon that the arrests stemmed from a year-long investigation by the SIU, and that they had waited for some of the suspects to finish their testing before the commission beforehand. to launch the operation to simultaneously arrest seven suspects in three provinces.
ROLLING COVER | Hawks make arrests for asbestos deal in Free State
As of Wednesday afternoon, six of the seven people implicated were in custody, with the seventh believed to be in KwaZulu-Natal, still at large, Hawks spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed.
“We started everything in 2019. We were ready, waiting for it to finish before the commission,” Kganyago said.
Earlier on Wednesday, he told the SABC that the proclamation to investigate the tender was signed in 2019. The proclamation, R39 of 2019, was signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in June 2019 and published the following month.
Kganyago added that the Hawks were “tied up” when “high levels of crime” became apparent to SIU investigators.
“The arrests are made by the Hawks and they have their own timeline. The Zondo commission’s timeline is separate from ours. We do the investigation and, anytime there is a result, we give it to the appropriate law enforcement agency.”, he told News24, responding to a question about the possible chilling effect the arrests could have on those still scheduled to appear before the commission.
EXPLANATOR | What You Need To Know About The Free State Asbestos Deal
In February 2019, the Hawks arrested former Bosasa boss turned whistleblower, Angelo Agrizzi, a month after he testified before the commission, based on a case stemming from a 2009 SIU report on bidding corruption within the Department. Correctional Services.
Evidence
Two others, both former Bosasa employees, Andries van Tonder and Frans Vorster, who had also testified before the commission regarding Bosasa’s corruption, were also arrested along with former prison services commissioner Linda Mti and former chief financial officer. Patrick Gilingham.
News24 reported Wednesday that Edwin Sodi, the chief executive of Blackhead Consulting, one of the companies originally winning the tender, was questioned before the commission for payments totaling millions of rand he made to the ANC and various members of the cabinet, including Zizi Kodwa, Pinky Kekana. and Thulas Nxesi.
Sodi said he did not view these payments as suspicious and that he had been helping people he considered friends.
News24 also reported that the ousted mayor of Mangaung, Olly Mlamleli, was said to be among those arrested.
An anonymous SACP leader told News24 that the arrests would have a “ripple effect on many people all the way to the top.”
Involved
Kganyago was asked if the SIU was determined to continue the investigations to their conclusion, even if high-profile ANC leaders are involved.
“All of our investigations are based on accusations and our results are based on evidence. Therefore, whenever there is evidence, no matter who the person is, we work on the basis of evidence, which is the driving force of what we are doing.” , He said.
“We can only deal with the evidence-based results at our disposal. This investigation continues and we will make sure we get to the bottom of every part.”
Investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh wrote in his book: Gangster status, which former Free State Prime Minister Ace Magashule was believed to have received money from Igo Mpambani, Sodi’s partner in the asbestos deal and who was shot and killed in Sandton in 2017.
News24 understands that the suspects will appear in a court in Bloemfontein on Friday, at which point the identities of all those detained will be confirmed.
