The High Court in Mbombela has granted a forfeiture order allowing law enforcement authorities to seize assets acquired through fraudulent transactions involving Covid-19 relief funds.
The case stems from a corruption scheme within the Mpumalanga Department of Health during the height of the pandemic in 2020, which resulted in an estimated loss of nearly R5 million.
Investigations by the Hawks, formally known as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, revealed that a secretary working in a director’s office colluded with two service providers to falsify the procurement and delivery of personal protective equipment (PPE). Despite receiving payments, no goods were delivered, and the funds were instead used to purchase personal assets.
Among the assets obtained using the misappropriated funds was a R1.5 million residential property in Barberton, registered under a company controlled by the secretary’s daughter.
This property was later sold, and the proceeds were allegedly used to acquire another house in Sunninghill, Johannesburg, this time registered under a different company linked directly to the former secretary, Sanele Sanderson.
Following an extensive investigation, the Hawks’ asset forfeiture team secured a preservation order to reclaim the Sunninghill house and three vehicles connected to the case.
These vehicles (Toyota Quantum, a Hyundai light delivery vehicle, and a Volkswagen Golf) are collectively valued at approximately R1 million.
The provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga confirmed that the criminal investigation remains ongoing.
He emphasised that law enforcement will continue to trace and recover assets obtained through criminal means to help recoup losses suffered by the state.
The successful recovery of these assets was made possible through joint efforts between the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.
Authorities stressed the importance of such collaboration, noting that individuals who benefit from public funds through corruption will be held accountable, and illicit assets will be seized regardless of how they are concealed.
This latest recovery adds to a broader investigation into pandemic-related corruption. Last year, authorities seized property and other assets worth over R52 million in connection with irregular PPE procurement.
That operation implicated 22 senior officials, service providers, and entities allegedly involved in a corruption network within the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works.
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