Government’s fight against corruption will see a former manager in Mangaung Local Municipality (MLM) start his 10-year prison sentence this morning.
Lehlohonolo Percival Nakedi, 54, who was the general manager responsible for mechanical services, is expected to hand himself over to a correctional facility in Bloemfontein.
He was given a 10-year sentence for corruption, eight years for fraud, eight for money laundering and seven years for contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Second Amendment Act, suspended for three years in 2014 by the Bloemfontein Regional Court. The sentences will run concurrently.
The case relates to Nakedi’s manipulation of the procurement processes in the municipality, where two companies were awarded a vehicle tracking system contract in exchange for gratification.
In 2003, Sitech Systems (Pty) Ltd entered into a contract with the municipality to install the tracking devices. A year later, a tender was issued to formalise the service and three companies were shortlisted. Sitech Systems was not among the companies. However, through Nakedi, they were offered the contract even when they were not shortlisted.
A local company, Sinako Property Solutions, was sub-contracted since Sitech Sytems were Gauteng-based.
For his efforts, Nakedi was rewarded with at least R230 000 between April and October 2004.
It also transpired that Mzwandile Silwana, the Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation at MLM and his wife Mrs Brigette Silwana, through their company Sinani Management Solutions, also benefited from the tender.
The two and nine other defendants were charged and convicted to 10 and seven years respectively in 2012 by the Bloemfontein High Court for corruption, money laundering and fraud.
Nakedi was charged and tried separately in the Bloemfontein Regional Court and subsequently convicted in 2013.
He was sentenced in 2014. However, he appealed the sentence at the Bloemfontein High Court.
Nakedi went on to approach the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) and was not successful.
His last hope, the Constitutional Court, also ruled that his application had no reasonable prospects of success.
South Africans are encouraged to report any suspected fraud and corruption.
Government’s anti-corruption and fraud hotline number is 0800 701 701. Other anti-corruption hotlines in government include:
- Human Settlements: 0800 204401
- Government Employees Pension Fund: 0800 43 43 73
- Traffic: 0861 400 800 (not toll free)
- South African Revenue Service: 0800 00 28 70
- South African Social Security Agency (SASSA): 0800601011. –SAnews.gov.za
