Massive fraud in George at South Cape College - 8 arrested

GEORGE NEWS - Eight people have been arrested in George in connection with fraud at the South Cape TVET College involving millions of rands.

The Hawks and Pops closed in on the eight, one of whom is a former college CEO, yesterday morning for the theft of R24- million between 2009 and 2014.

Those arrested include education officials and people from the private sector. They will appear in court today on charges of corruption, fraud and alternatively theft.

It is alleged that between March 2009 and August 2014, the suspects who were employees and contractors of the South Cape College colluded together in violation of the relevant policies and procedures to unlawfully and intentionally submit non-compliance bid documents and quotations for the construction and renovations of the South Cape Colleges across all campuses in the District.

Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the CEO influenced other officials to deviate from the tender process in order for the scheme to benefit the involved entities.

Preliminary investigation revealed that some of the employees were directors or members of certain entities and never disclosed that they were involved directly or indirectly.

This resulted in prejudice and a loss to the South Cape TVET College to the amount over R24 million.

This then led to the matter being reported to the Hawks’ in 2014 by the Department of Higher Education after it was established by the college that the funds meant for the construction of the college were used by the suspects to enrich themselves.

The eight accused are set to make their first appearance at the George Magistrate's court this morning, 13 April.