Three suspects, including two municipal officials, have appeared in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court in connection with a R46 million corruption case.
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Brett Lucas (47), Jonathan van Rooy (54) and Koos Johannes Muller (52), as well as a juristic person, the company JVR Construction CC, appeared in court on Wednesday, when the case was postponed until March.
Warrants of arrest were issued against them following allegations of fraud and corruption.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase, CoCT contracted JVR Construction CC, owned by Van Rooy, to perform maintenance on roads in and around the city. The contract was valid from November 2011 to September 2017.
“It is reported that Van Rooy paid Lucas and Muller – who were attached to the water and sanitation division within the City – in order for them to fast-track the tender process,” Nkwalase explained.
“Forensic and financial investigations revealed that there were invoices that were backdated in order to facilitate payments to JVR Construction CC for services rendered. The City of Cape Town Municipality suffered a total loss surpassing R46 million.”
Van Rooy was released on R20,000 bail on Wednesday, while Lucas and Muller were released on R10,000 bail each. The case has been postponed to 17 March for a regional court date.
Meanwhile, the City welcomed the arrests of the two former city officials and company director.
“The City supports a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and looks forward to a speedy prosecution process,” read a statement.
“The City will continue working with investigative authorities to ensure justice and accountability.”
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Picture: Supplied / Hawks