Home News Dramatic twist in Trifecta case

Dramatic twist in Trifecta case

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The charges related to leases that were secured for government offices during 2006, to the value of R700 million, that were concluded with the Trifecta group of companies

THE FORMER CEO of the South African State Security Agency (Sassa) in the Northern Cape, the former HOD for the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and the former HOD for the Department of Agriculture, along with their accomplices, are due to appear in the Kimberley regional court next month on charges of fraud and contravention of the Public Financial Management Act.

The charges related to leases that were secured for government offices during 2006, to the value of R700 million, that were concluded with the Trifecta group of companies.

The investigation follows the conviction and sentencing of the former CEO of Trifecta Holdings, Christo Scholtz, and the former ANC provincial chairperson, John Block, who started serving 15 year sentences on similar charges in November 2018.

The Constitutional Court turned down the appeal against their conviction and sentencing after they were found guilty of corruption and money laundering in the Northern Cape High Court in 2016.

Block was found to have used his influence to coerce officials to facilitate irregular leases where he received gratifications in return in the form of Trifecta shares, renovations to his guest house in Upington and cash payments.

The Supreme Court of Appeal found it improbable that Scholtz had no knowledge of payments made by his company to politicians or negotiations that were concluded regarding the leases.

In October, the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld a R59,8 million Asset Forfeiture Unit confiscation order of assets belonging to Trifecta.

Provincial Hawks spokesperson, Nomthandazo Mnisi, said that Scholtz and Block were not under investigation in the current matter.

She said the suspects, including representatives of the board of directors of Trifecta, were served summons on Monday and Tuesday this week following ongoing investigations

“They are expected to appear in the Kimberley regional court on December 11. The value of the contracts under investigation is approximately R700 million.”

Mnisi stated that it was alleged that the Trifecta group of companies secured contracts through “influential government officials” in March 2006.

“The company inflated rates and charged exceptionally high rates on premises that they leased to government departments. Bribes were paid to ensure that monthly rentals were paid in time without proper invoicing and to suppress all the faults in the buildings.”

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