According to Hawks’ spokesperson, Captain Sifiso Nyakane, the fraudulent deal was brokered via telephone by a man who called himself Patrick Ngubeni. The vehicles were delivered on the 6th of November and were supposed to be collected from the municipality’s offices after three days. However, the dealership contacted the municipality in order to confirm the delivery. It was then notified that the municipality was not aware of the deal and had not authorised such a transaction.

Nyakane says altogether the vehicles were worth R9 million and they have been returned to the dealership safely.

An email has been circulating on social media and it stated that the vehicles were being procured for a farmer support and development programme for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

The municipality’s mayor, Tlokotsi John Motaung, declined to comment and says the matter is being investigated by the Hawks.

Nyakane can’t confirm the link between “Ngubeni” and the municipality or the department, saying this is still under investigation.

“She alerted the police about the matter and the vehicles were recovered at the municipal storage. The vehicles were handed back to the rightful owner, which is a Range Rover dealer from Durban. A case of fraud is investigated by the Hawks’ Commercial Crime Unit. No arrests have been made.”

OFM News/Thandi Ntobela