Twelve Mnquma Municipality officials have been accused of fraud and corruption after allegedly flouting tender processes, the Hawks in the Eastern Cape have said.
The 12, who formed the municipality's bid evaluation and adjudication committees, appeared before the Butterworth Magistrate's Court on Tuesday on charges of fraud, corruption and the contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
The 12 accused are Luleka Nonyongo, 39, Sakhumzi Madubela, 38, Lusindiso Patric Boya, 42, Amanda Ntamo, 35, Grace Tasana, 66, Ivy Sikhulu, 46, Kulile Clock, 43, Lubabalo Manjingolo, 30, Viwe Phindile Madolo, 44, Primrose Vuyokazi Gonya, 43, Dinyiswa Olga Mrwetyana, 34, and Zonwabele Plata, 63.
They were arrested on Tuesday, Hawks Eastern Cape spokesperson Captain Anelisa Feni said.
"Their arrest comes in the wake of ongoing investigations regarding alleged fraud and corruption in Eastern Cape municipalities."
Feni said the 12 allegedly flouted tender procedures from 2014 to 2016, when four tenders with a combined value of R37m were allegedly unduly awarded to three companies.
According to Feni, Big Event Boy (Pty) Ltd was one of the companies implicated, after it was allegedly awarded a tender to supply cleaning equipment for one year and another tender for the supply of cleaning equipment for three years.
Feni alleged that Igubevu Construction, a supplier of carbon asphalt, and RPS Engineering CC, trading as RS Ilangabi, were also implicated in tender fraud.
"The court released the suspects on a warning and they will appear before the same court on May 25, 2018," she said.