By Lwazi Raul
It was all good in names of “Tendering” yet it was all corruption.
Mpendulo Mapalala (31), co-owner and businessman of Zero13 Lifestyle restaurant in Riverside Park, Mbombela, was arrested after offering a R50 000 bribe.
Mapalala appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrates’ court following his arrest in a joint operation led by the Hawks’ national Serious Corruption Investigation and Special Investigative Unit in Mpumalanga on Monday.
The suspect was arrested after handing over a bribe of R50 000 to the complainant in order to have a case relating to the Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) against his sister disappeared.
The suspect in question is said to be an employee for from the Department of Public works Roads and transport in Mpumalanga.
“The complainant had reported that the individual contacted her and requested to meet.
“They met and the suspect requested the SIU official to make the case disappear. Upon finalizing the amount, the suspect went to collect the money.
“The suspect later returned and upon handing over the gratification, he was arrested,” the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.
Police also found money on the suspect to the value of R63 600 which was seized.
The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, commended the team members from the SIU and the Hawks for working together to ensure that the Constitution and the Laws of the Republic are protected and upheld.
“Those who try to corrupt our members, will learn the hard way that we have adopted a Zero tolerance approach to corruption,” Lieutenant Gen Lebeya said.
