A tender tycoon linked to the alleged R635 million Tembisa Hospital corruption saga has been granted R200 000 bail after appearing in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court today, Monday, August 31.
Stefan Govindraju, 37, will be released from custody after paying the bail amount.
The state did not oppose bail.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, Govindraju was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, August 28, after returning from overseas.
Mogale said Govindraju is allegedly part of a complex investigation into multimillion-rand tender fraud involving the Tembisa Hospital procurement process.
The investigation relates to allegations of fraud, corruption, forgery and/or uttering, contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and money laundering, Mogale said.
It is alleged that certain officials at the hospital colluded with service providers to exploit the Request for Quotations (RFQs) system for procurement transactions below the R500 000 threshold.
According to Mogale, the system was deliberately exploited to circumvent the formal tender process.
Govindraju is expected to face charges relating to fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Mogale said the latest arrest forms part of the Hawks’ efforts to ensure that those allegedly involved in the Tembisa Hospital corruption saga are brought to book.
“The investigation is ongoing,” she said.
