Raids after R500m paid in dodgy tenders

Hunt for assets of couple, Transport official at centre of scheme

THE ASSET Forfeiture Unit raided several properties in Durban and Pietermaritzburg in connection with more than R500 million in alleged tender irregularities. Simphiwe Majola, an official from the Department of Transport, along with Meganathan and Nesha Govender, allegedly defrauded the department by overcharging for services, some not rendered, during a five-year period.

In simultaneous raids, AFU members swooped on the Queenburgh property of the Govenders, their business premises nearby, a house in Kloof that belongs to them and two farms in Kokstad belonging to Majola and a property in Ashburton, Pietermaritzburg, also belonging to Majola.

Majola and the Govenders were arrested in 2013 and charged with alleged fraud. The cases are at various stages in the court system.

Friday’s raid was to curate and seize goods from the properties, the State believes were bought with the proceeds of crime.

Court papers filed by the AFU said that in the period between April 2007 and May 2012, Majola allegedly benefited from financial kickbacks while awarding a number of tenders to entities owned by the Govenders.

Majola and another Transport Department employee, Sukla Pooran Maharaj, were arrested in 2013. Maharaj was on holiday with his family on the Wild Coast. He appeared in the KwaDukuza Magistrate’s Court and granted R10 000 bail.

At the time of his arrest, Majola was employed as a regional manager for the department and based in KwaZulu-Natal.

Maharaj was based at the department’s offices in KwaDukuza, but no further charges were brought against him and he was not added to the restraint or forfeiture order.

In his role at the department, Majola was charged with awarding short-term

THE COUPLE CHARGED THE DEPARTMENT EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS FOR SERVICES

road repair and maintenance contracts to different companies. But he allegedly ignored internal procurement procedures and awarded the bulk of the work to the Govenders.

Majola stated in his bail application that he had been employed at the department from 1994 and earned a monthly salary of R47 000. He was granted R50 000 bail as he argued he was not a flight risk and intended to plead not guilty to the charges.

The Govenders owned three businesses: Barleda 232 cc, Queensburgh Equipment Rental cc and Ubunye Plant Hire cc, which were awarded tenders by the department.

A forensic report said the couple