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SIU welcomes 10 year imprisonment of former Eastern Cape Health messenger for R23 million PPE fraud and forgery

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes the jailing of former Eastern Cape Department of Health messenger on charges relating to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender fraud to the value of more than R23 million.

Ayanda Matinise, a former messenger in the office of the then Eastern Cape Health MEC Sindiswa Gomba, is imprisoned on the charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering. Matinise was given a 10-year sentence by the Mthatha Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, 7 February 2023.

The imprisonment of Matinise follows the SIU’s referral to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) after uncovering evidence pointing to criminal activity during the PPE investigation. The referral was in line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, which requires the SIU to refer evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the NPA for further action.

The SIU investigation revealed that Matinise forged a signature of Director of Supply Chain and awarded a tender to a service provider for supply and delivery of PPE. The service provider was to
deliver N95 masks to the cash value of more than R23 million to OR Tambo District Department of Health offices.

The SIU was mandated through Proclamation No. R. 23 of 2020, to investigate the affairs of all State institutions in respect of the procurement or contracting for goods, works and services, during, or in respect of the National State of Disaster, by or on behalf or State institutions.

The prison sentence of Matinise is a clear demonstration by State institutions of the implementation of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover assets and financial losses suffered by State institutions and/or to prevent further losses.

Fraud and corruption allegations may be reported via the following platforms:
siu@hotline.co.za / Hotline: 0800 037 774.

Enquiries: Mr Kaizer Kganyago
Head of Stakeholder Relations and Communications
Special Investigation Unit
012 843 0048 / 082 306 8888
kkganyago@siu.org.za