By Thys Khiba – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago has welcomed sentencing of former Eastern Cape Department of Health messenger, Ayanda Matinise on charges relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender fraud to the value of more than R23 million on Tuesday, 7 February 2023.
The SIU welcomes the jailing of former Eastern Cape Department of Health messenger, Ayanda Matinise, on charges relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender fraud to the value of more than R23 million. SIU spokesperson Mr Kaizer Kganyago further elaborates. pic.twitter.com/m1EEaVz5P3
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) February 8, 2023
Matinise is a former messenger in the office of the then Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba.
This comes after the Mthata Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced Matinise to 10 years imprisonment on the charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering.
“The imprisonment of Matinise follows the SIU’s referral to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after uncovering evidence pointing to criminal activity during the PPE investigation.
“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 SIU welcomes the jailing of former Eastern Cape Department of Health messenger on charges relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender fraud to the value of more than R23 million. pic.twitter.com/ZZ2h4UgXyW
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) February 8, 2023
In September 2020, the 37-year-old forged a signature of Director of Supply Chain and awarded a tender to a service provider, Falaz Protection Services (PTY) LTD (FALAZ) for supply and delivery of PPE.
The service provider was to deliver N95 masks to the cash value of more than R23 million to OR Tambo District Department of Health offices.
“The SIU was mandated through Proclamation No. R. 23 of 2020, to investigate the affairs of all State institutions in respect of the procurement or contracting for goods, works and services, during, or in respect of the National State of Disaster, by or on behalf or State institutions,” Kganyago said.
Kganyago said the announced sentence of the former messengeris ‘a clear demonstration by State institutions of 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.’
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During trial, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) indicated that Matinise pleaded not guilty and attempted to implicate the officials who blew the whistle as having been involved in large scale corruption.
“In the period between 09 and 17 September 2020, Matinisewrote, signed, and sent a forged letter to Falaz Protection Services (PTY) LTD (FALAZ) under the false pretences that the ECDOH commits to procuring 700 000 nitrile, non-sterile, powder-free examination KN 95 surgical masks.
“Consequently, FALAZ submitted the quotation and a declaration of interest to Matinise accompanied by a quotation valued at R23.7 million. Upon the authorisation of such supply and delivery through the forged commitment letter, a delivery of consignment of PPEs was made by FALAZ at the ECDOH OR Tambo District stores in Mthatha.
“When FALAZ director demanded payment for services rendered, and even paid Matinise R3000 to expedite the payment, it became apparent that the officials responsible for payment and issuing of commitment letters at ECDOH had no knowledge of the forged commitment letter.
“The company decided to collect the consignment, but large quantities of it were missing, including 130 000 KN 95 masks and 70 000 surgical masks, to the value of R2,6 million. Investigations conducted by the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and the Hawks led to the arrest of Matinise,” said Eastern Cape NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali.
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