Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3-minute read
23 April 2024 | 13:37 CAT

The SA Army is in the spotlight once again as a former military officer and a company director are accused of having colluded to defraud the state Gallo Images / Darren Stewart

A recent case has brought a complex legal puzzle to the forefront in Pretoria, and more accused are expected to be added to the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) matter in which a former general is facing fraud charges involving R2.1m.
A former SA National Defence Force (SANDF) general, Mendis Eddy Modlane, and a company director, Mugisha Charles Mwali, appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Crimes Court on Thursday. They were facing serious fraud charges, a matter that should not be taken lightly, and were released on bail.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Gauteng spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said Modlane faced four counts of fraud while Mwali and the company faced one count of fraud.

Mahanjana said the matter dates back to 2015 when Modlane was in the joint operation headquarters division, which handles the deployment of soldiers to other countries and within South Africa.

“On November 10 2015, the division requested the procurement of 3,000 heat-resistant buffs and 3,000 military goggles to prevent sicknesses caused by dust for South African bases in Sudan at an estimated value of R2.2m,” said NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.

On December 14 of that same year, Modlane allegedly defrauded the army by writing a request to the central procurement service centre requesting to deviate from the procurement processes and requesting Phomolo be appointed to supply and deliver the items for three rotations starting on January 16, 2016.

Mahanjana added that the company submitted bid documents with a total price of more than R2.1 million, which was R940 less than the estimated value of R2.2 million. It was later appointed for the services on February 15 2016.

Mahanjana said the two accused were arrested after they handed themselves over to the police on Wednesday.
Mahanjana said the state did not oppose their release on bail because they were not flight risks and had no previous convictions or pending cases.

The matter has been postponed to July 17 for a thorough and comprehensive investigation, ensuring that all aspects of the case are properly examined.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.