Hawks probe Public Works lease scam

A R40 million lease scam allegedly involving a department of public works administrator and a businessman was being investigated, the Hawks said on Wednesday.

   

Captain Paul Ramaloko confirmed that the Hawks had been investigating public works department senior administrator Desmond Simamane and businessman Sayed Hoosen Mia.

   

"[Simamane] is no longer in the employ of the department," department spokesman Thami Mchunu said.

   

He said about two years ago the department began reviewing leases, which led to an internal investigation. 

   

The Star reported that the scam, which started in 2006 and continued for five years, led to the department paying R40m for the lease of six Johannesburg buildings from Mia. 

   

Despite the money being paid, the buildings were never used.

   

The men would appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on January 15 for a trial date to be set. They face charges of money laundering and corruption. Simamane was previously granted R5000 bail and Mia R10,000 bail. Court documents list Mia's 10 companies as "the accused".

   

According to The Star, Simamane allegedly accepted bribes from Mia in exchange for recommending his companies for lease contracts for office space for other national government departments.

   

Simamane allegedly accepted a Nissan Hardbody bakkie, worth R156,400, and use of a BMW 525, worth R566,250, from Mia. He also allegedly received payments of R640,500 via his football club's bank account. 

   

-Sapa