The Durban High Court heard testimony on Tuesday from the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s office officials who came there in 2020 after being detained on charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering. Among those arrested was the Chief Financial Officer.
Ziphathe Cibane, Nonhlanhla Hlongwa, the head of supply chain management, and seven others have been charged in connection with an R24 million tender. Five of the nine accused work for the premier’s office and are suspected of breaking supply chain regulations by conspiring with service providers to win tenders for providing food and drink.
Staff members Nomusa Zakwe (35), Njabulo Makhathini (34), and Sithembiso Msomi (53), all of whom work for OTP, are free on bail totaling R5,000. While Hlongwa’s bail is set at R5,000, Cibane’s is R10,000. There are currently 16 defendants in this case, including the addition of 7 business entities. Some of the accused businesses allegedly bribed Cibane and Hlongwane in exchange for tendering contracts, and subordinate officials reporting to Cibane were allegedly told to prepare documentation for such deals in exchange for bribes.
The State said in court that it had received requests for more information from the defense for Accused Nos. 3 and 16, and that it expected to receive more of the same.
