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East Cape government officials arrested for fraud and corruption

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EASTERN CAPE – The Serious Corruption Investigation of the Hawks arrested three suspects yesterday morning in East London and Port Elizabeth respectively for two different cases relating to fraud and corruption.

Baxolile Ngoloyi (35) and Simthembile Smith (29) subsequently appeared at the Specialised Commercial Crime court in Port Elizabeth on 30 January 2020 whilst Samnkelo Nkwateni (42), appeared in the East London Magistrate court for an unrelated case.

It is alleged that between December 2017 and June 2018, Ngoloyi a systems controller at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality’s (BCM) health department, manipulated the department’s system by executing fraudulent payments to Ngoloyi’s company even though the company never rendered any services for the department.

Approximately R120 000 was paid out to the company while the department stopped a payment of R140 000 before it could be made as the latter suspected malpractice. BCM reported the alleged crime to the Hawks in June 2018.

Ngoloyi and Smith were each granted R500 bail by the Specialised Commercial Crime court. Their next court appearance will be on the 17 February 2020.

Meanwhile, it is alleged that during the year 2018 Nkwateni, an Administration Clerk at the department of Labour in East London, demanded payment from two business people in exchange for a letter of good standing.

One business person paid him R5000 while the other one paid R3000 for a letter the department in actual fact issues for free.

The department reported the alleged crime to the Hawks during November 2018 and the latter swiftly commenced with its investigation.

Nkwateni’s next court appearance in the East London Magistrate court will be on the 03 February 2020 where he will be given the opportunity to apply for bail.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.