37-year-old Ayanda Matinise, an ex-messenger for Eastern Cape Health Department was sent straight to Mthatha’s Wellington prison after his sentencing on Tuesday morning by the Mthatha Crimes Court Magistrate, Shylock Ndengezi.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Matinise was accused of using his closeness to the former MEC, Sindiswa Gamba, to commit fraud during the National State Disaster.
NPA spokesperson, Luxolo Tyali, said regulations during this period allowed for some deviation from the ordinary procurement procedures.
“In the period between 09 and 17 September 2020, Matinise wrote, signed and sent a forged letter to FALAZ Protection Services under the false pretence that the ECDOH commits to procuring 700 000 nithles, non-sterile, powder free examination KN 95 surgical masks”
FALAZ then submitted a quotation and a declaration of interest to the value of 23.7 million, resulting in PPE being delivered to Health stores in Mthatha, said Tyali.
He said the fraud became apparent when the director of the company that rendered the services demanded payment from the department, subsequently revealing that Department officials had no knowledge of the letter of commitment or the procurement.
Reports indicate that investigations conducted by the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and the Hawks led to the arrest of Matinise, who had pleased not guilty to the charges.
The sentence handed down on Tuesday was welcomed by the Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions.
