While the DA prepares to open a criminal case over a R5.1m personal protective equipment tender, the KwaZulu-Natal arts and culture portfolio commission believes there was no foul play involved.
The DA said it would open the fraud and corruption charges against provincial arts and culture head Nontokozo Chonco at the Durban Central Police Station on Thursday.
Chonco told TimesLIVE that he was aware of the allegations by the DA, but wouldn't comment until they officially opened a case. “As a result, the equipment paid for was left unused. The department of arts & culture also paid for the hiring of Covid-19 compliance officers, who also did not perform their duties.
“Levelling of sites forms part of the building contract and does not relate to the pandemic in any way. The DA has established that, at the time, an amount of R640,000 was allegedly given to each contractor for PPE. Some of the documents stipulate delivery of TLBs for June 2020 — well after the hard lockdown began,” the statement reads.
“Law-enforcement agencies must now deal with the matter and bring those involved to book swiftly,” the party added.