KWAZULU-NATAL – Siphiwe Mkhize (60), a former Head of the Department of KwaZulu-Natal Agriculture appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crime Court on the 29 September 2020.
The Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation members arrested Mkhize together with his accomplice, Billy Mishack Mnisi (47), the owner of Tekisani Pty Ltd.
The two accused are facing charges of fraud and corruption pertaining to a payment of approximately R3.5 million allegedly made by the Department, to Tekisani Pty Ltd, owned by Mnisi.
It is alleged that Tekisani was supposed to deliver hay as part of the drought relief programme to the northern part of KwaZulu-Natal farmers, however, the hay was never delivered.
Mkhize as the Head of Department allegedly signed proof of delivery and verified the payment. Mkhize and Mnisi were each granted R5000.00 bail and the case was postponed to 12 November 2020.
Meanwhile in June this year, Mkhize was charged for allegedly receiving gratification in a form of a motor vehicle worth R548 100. 00 from Ikhwezi Protection Services owned by Zwelithini Erick Zondi (49), it is alleged that Mkhize was responsible for the extension of a month to month contract for the said service provider at the time.