The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed a Special Tribunal judgment ordering a North West scholar transport contractor to pay back overinflated money it was paid by the provincial Community Safety and Transport Department.
The order was on Thursday made against RI Mako Trading and Projects, and its director, Remosetlha Isaac Mako.
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, in a statement said the Special Tribunal ordered RI Mako Trading to pay back R7.4 million it unlawfully gained from the Department and pay the SIU’s legal costs.
“The judgment comes after the SIU investigations which revealed that RI Mako Trading submitted invoices to the Department of Public Works Roads and Transport for the period 2010 to 2017 that have inflated kilometres and have unduly enriched themselves through the submission of inflated kilometres.
“Although Mr. Mako denied allegations against him and his company, he did not dispute that he inflated the kilometres travelled as claimed and contended that they claimed for kilometres, as verified by the Department and were paid based on their invoices as approved by the Department.
The SIU was authorised to investigate by President of the Republic under Proclamation R.2 of 2018, following widespread allegations of irregularities concerning the appointment and overpayment of service providers contracted in terms of the scholar transport tender.
The Special Tribunal order is a continuation of implementation of the SIU investigations outcomes and consequence management to recover monies lost by the Department of Community Safety & Transport Management in North West. There are other cases enrolled in the in the Special Tribunal awaiting adjudication and will result in recoveries for the department.
The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during both investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action. – SAnews.gov.za
