Tribunal targets covid thieves
A special tribunal has moved with speed against covidpreneurs in Gauteng.
The tribunal set up under Judge Billy Mothle (above) has frozen almost 40 accounts of covidpreneurs who have pocketed millions from the Gauteng government.
Lawyers said the speed of the action by the tribunal – set up in July under the Special Investigative Unit – was extremely unusual. Most corruption inquiries drag on for ages without much result.
The most infamous of the accused is AmaBhaca King Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko, husband of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s former spokesperson Khusela Diko.
His company Royal Bhaca Projects was allegedly paid at least R80 million through a front company, Ledla Structural Development. All the money in its bank account was frozen by Judge Mothle.
Papers before the tribunal show Diko made a 800% profit from the scheme, selling 75c waste bags for R7.
The ruling targets about 40 companies and individuals.
