Senior transport official arrested
A SENIOR official from the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison was handcuffed and marched out of his office by members of the Hawks’ serious corruption unit yesterday morning.
IT assistant director at the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Dennis Peterson, 41, and the company owner who was awarded a tender, Mosimanegape Victor Motaung, 38, both appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a charge of corruption.
Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Captain Philani Nkwalase, said the Hawks investigation started in June 2017 regarding the violation of procurement processes dating back to April 16 2016.
“It is alleged that three quotations were sourced from various IT service providers. However, a specific company was contacted later to re-submit a revised quote and was ultimately awarded the tender and a gratification was allegedly paid to the suspect.”
He said both accused were released on R3 000 bail each.
“Peterson briefly appeared in court on a charge of corruption and the case was postponed to February 16. Motaung was arrested separately and will also return to court on February 16.”
A whistleblower stated that he was being victimised where he was issued with a letter of transfer “with immediate effect” after reporting the matter.
“The letter did not indicate to which unit I was being transfered to.
“I was also removed from the government security operation system, which I was spearheading at the time.
“I was also rendered unproductive by the arrested official, who is my superior. I have not been awarded any notch increases. My working conditions are now unbearable.”
He indicated that action was only taken after he had reported the matter the Director General at the Premier’s Office, as the department had failed to react on the allegations.
The whistleblower claimed that a R3 000 deposit was made into the private bank account of the accused after the tender was awarded to the service provider.
“The company that was awarded a R45 000 tender for a computer back-up server, initially tendered an amount of R108 000 for the bid. Rival competitors submitted bids of R43 000.
“The accused contacted the service provider and advised him to lower the bid and they were consequently awarded the tender.”
Spokesperson for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison, Keitumetse Moticoe, stated that the department would offer its full support and co-operation in relation to the Hawks investigation.