Security guard

A security guard from eThekwini and others were charged with attempted murder. Image: Pexels

Former official arrested for tender fraud

A former Rural Development and Agrarian Reform official was arrested for tender fraud by the East London Hawks team.

Security guard

A security guard from eThekwini and others were charged with attempted murder. Image: Pexels

Lukhanyo Cornelius Fesi has been arrested by the East London-based Hawks team on charges of tender fraud.

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FESI APPROACHED SUPPLIER FOR QUOTATIONS

Fesi, 44, acted as the Financial Management Assistant Director at the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform.

In 2012 he was allegedly asked to compile an internal memorandum for the purchase of promotional material in preparation for a presidential visit to Mbizana.

It is further alleged that a supplier was approached by Fesi and asked for quotations on the bags. After he saw the bag samples, he then told the supplier that the bags would be more suitable for his church.

The supplier submitted a quotation on Fesi’s request and an order was issued by the department. Unbeknownst to them that Fesi had already allegedly given the supplier the logo of his church as the wording on said bags.

FESI HAD BAGS WORTH R27 000 DELIVERED TO HIS HOME

Further reports show that Fesi later instructed the supplier to deliver 300 bags worth R27 000 to his home and the supplier reportedly did just that.

The department then paid for the bags and allegedly during the process, Fesi demanded the supplier to pay him R3 000.

ALSO READ: Eastern Cape: Father and daughter due in court for PPE tender fraud

FESI RELEASED ON BAIL ON DAY OF ARREST

It was only later that the department discovered that the promotional material was never received as requested. By then the payment was already made to the supplier and a case of fraud was reported to the Hawks in 2016.

Fesi made a short appearance in the Zwelitsha Magistrate’s Court on the same day where he was released on R2 000 bail.

The matter was remanded to 27 February 2023 for legal representation as the matter is ready for trial.