By Thys Khiba – The Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court has convicted and sentenced, former financial manager at the KwaZulu Natal Department of Basic Education (DoE), Lungelo Stewart Mhlongo for contravention of Public Administration Management Act.
This comes after Mhlongo was arrested in July last year and appeared in court several times.
SiU
Mhlongo was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which is suspended for five years on condition that he is not found guilty of the same offence During the period of suspension.
As a government official, Mhlongo failed to inform the department that he had an interest in a service provider.
The service provider was awarded two contracts for the supply and delivery of spray pumps to the value of R1 241 425.00 from the KZN DoE.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson KaizerKganyago welcomed the sentencing of Mhlongo.
Kganyago indicated that the conviction of Mhlongo follows the SIU’s referral to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after uncovering evidence pointing to criminal activity during the PPE investigation.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes the conviction of former financial manager at the KwaZulu Natal Department of Basic Education (DoE), Lungelo Stewart Mhlongo. pic.twitter.com/yGEri1WnGY
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) February 9, 2023
“The referral was in line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, which requires the SIU to refer evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the NPA for further action,” said Kganyago.
The following were contravened by Mhlongo:
• Failed to disclose his interests with the service provider.
• Was party to a contract with a service provider that was conducting business with the state, while still an employee of the KZN DOE.
• Failed to disclose his financial interests and or benefits as a cardholder of the service provider’s business account, to Head of Department of the KZN DoE.
• Entered transaction or acted in a way that conflicted with or infringed upon his or her duties, or which appeared to do so.
• He performed or engaged himself to perform remunerative work outside his employment in the public service without the requisite permission being granted by the KZN DoE Head of Department.
“The conviction of Mhlongo is a clear demonstration of cooperation by State institutions in the implementation of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover assets and financial losses suffered by State institutions and/or to prevent further losses,” said Kganyago.
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