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Arrest in OR Tambo Covid-19 corruption scandal

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Dear MyPE

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Eastern Cape has been vindicated in laying charges against a company which allegedly defrauded the OR Tambo District Municipality of millions of Rands.

Today, 22 October 2020, a director of Phathilizwi Training Institute, Phumza Gambula, appeared in the Mthatha Magistrates Court after she was detained by the Hawks yesterday. She has subsequently been released on bail.

This follows after the OR Tambo District Municipality Director of Legislative Services received invoices to the amount of R4,8 million from Phathilizwi for door-to-door activities, supposedly for telling people about the Covid-19 virus during Level 4 lockdown.

The Municipal Manager was suspended just five days after he requested further information on the methodology of the work done and refused to pay the invoices.

In July the DA laid charges of corruption and fraud at the Madeira police station against the company in question, and the Hawks launched an investigation.

The OR Tambo District Municipality is one of the epicentres for Covid-19 corruption in the Eastern Cape.

The Municipality was also in the news when its Acting Municipal Manager laid criminal charges against the suspended Municipal Manager for fraud, theft and corruption related to financial mismanagement of R168 million, which is linked to water and sanitation programmes meant to assist communities with Covid-19 interventions

The DA commends the Hawks for their swift action against Phathilizwi Training Institute, and will continue to monitor the case, to ensure that those responsible of wrongdoing are held accountable and face the full might of the law.

Regards

Mlindi Nhanha, MP
OR Tambo Constituency Leader

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