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Hawks vehicles involved in a raid.
PHOTO: Felix Dlangamandla / Gallo Images
- The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit swooped in on Buffalo City township in East London and seized R30 million worth of corruption-related electronic equipment and documents.
- The millions went toward purchasing Covid-19 food vouchers, the Hawks said in a statement.
- The Hawks allege that supply chain processes were circumvented when tenders were awarded to 18 service providers.
The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit swooped in on Buffalo City township in East London and seized documents and electronic equipment related to a R30 million worth of corruption investigation on the Tube.
The millions went toward purchasing Covid-19 food vouchers, the Hawks said in a statement.
Thursday’s raid was confirmed by the Hawks’ national spokesman, Col. Katlego Mogale.
Mogale said: “The team seized documents and electronic equipment containing information to further the investigation. The allegations are that supply chain processes were circumvented by [the] Responsible for the supply chain with 18 service providers in the purchase of food vouchers for Covid-19. The investigation continues. “
Buffalo City Metro spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya also confirmed the raid.
‘In a position to account for every penny’
“As a responsible government, we are cooperating with all processes that seek to ensure accountability and as such we are helping the Hawks gain full access to all related documentation that will aid their investigation,” said Ngwenya.
Ngwenya denied there was any criminal activity involved in connection with the food stamp program, which was now subject to an investigation by the Hawks.
“The processing of the hunger relief voucher program was carried out and guided by the prescriptions of the legislation and a legal opinion was obtained that confirmed that the necessary conditions and requirements were met and that the spending was not irregular,” he said Ngwenya.
He added: “The purchase of vouchers was carried out in accordance with the BCMM Supply Chain Management Policy, and was subject to the regulations issued under the MFMA (Municipal Financial Management Law) regarding emergency procurement” .
“What’s also important is that as a city we are in a position to account for every penny spent at every store during this hunger relief program and we can track every bill submitted,” Ngwenya added.
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