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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be opening further criminal charges against KwaZulu-Natal’s Arts and Culture Head of Department, Nontokozo Chonco, and its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) following the discovery that R2.2 million was paid to companies, allegedly for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at the Dukuduku library which does not yet exist.

The charges are set to be laid at the Phoenix SAPS within the next week. The move comes just days after the DA laid criminal charges against the HOD relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender fraud to the value of R5.1 million at eight modular libraries in the province.

This latest move by the DA comes after gaining possession of further damning documents (view here and here) relating to the Dukuduku library.

In this instance it is revealed that the Department made certain payments to a Phoenix-based Civil Engineering business before invoices were issued. This is a clear indication of collusive tender practices coupled with fraud and corruption

Further investigation by the DA has also found that one of the companies listed on an invoice has a landline number that does not exist. It also has a Durban area code but then a physical address in Cape Town, which is a residential home. The DA has further noted that certain items invoiced and paid for – to the tune of R800 000 - were not PPE-related but rather safety wear. In one instance, the company also claims to be VAT registered, yet it did not charge the Department VAT when paying for office and site sanitation products.

Another company supplied the Dukuduku construction site with 2 730 coveralls - normally used by hospital staff - and masks at a total of R230 000. Yet another business charged the DoAC R45 000 for safety boots and building gloves while another company, which specializes in photocopies and printing of banners, supplied the site with sanitizers and spray bottles to the tune of a staggering R194 456.

In July last year, the DA expressed its concern over reports of fraud and corruption at Dukuduku library. At the time, the DoAC’s response was that the amount paid for PPE procurement and related equipment for the Dukuduku library construction site was only R377 080. The Department further claimed that the sum was part of the variation order for the project, which arose due to the unprecedented pandemic.

The DA firmly believes that the discrepancies identified with regard to exorbitant quantities, along with unauthorised amounts paid to contractors, demands further scrutiny by law enforcement.

Certainly, it is difficult to comprehend how MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela or any of her senior officials can justify them.

The DA will not tolerate the ongoing corruption within the DoAC and will ensure that those who are thieving from the people of KZN, using PPE and Covid-19 funding as a disguise, are brought to book for their fraudulent activities. We call on KZN’s law enforcement agencies to prioritise this matter and act swiftly to ensure justice.

Issued by Bradley Singh, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Arts and Culture