Malema co-accused hand themselves in

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Published: 2012/09/25 11:29:12 AM

Source: SAPA

Johannesburg - Four Polokwane businessmen handed themselves over to the anti-corruption task team on Tuesday, the Hawks confirmed.

"They are going to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court today on charges of fraud, corruption and money-laundering," said spokesperson McIntosh Polela.

"This relates to government money running into tens of millions of rands."

Polela said the anti-corruption task team consisted of the Hawks, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Special Investigating Unit, the Treasury and the SA Revenue Services.

"This forms part of an investigation that has been running since August last year," he said.

Polela said the four men would appear and three companies.

Earlier, it was reported that expelled ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's business partner Lesiba Gwangwa would appear in the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on Tuesday.

Gwangwa, who is chief executive of On-Point Engineers, would appear on accusations of tender fraud with other Limpopo businessmen and government officials.

R52m fraudulent tender

Polela said he could not give out the names of the men or the companies until they appeared in court.

According to a City Press report, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has said Malema made millions from a R52m fraudulent tender by On-Point Engineers.

The newspaper reported that Malema's Ratanang Family Trust was one of two shareholders in On-Point.

Although Madonsela could not find any evidence that Malema interfered in the tender process, she found that he benefited "improperly" from the contract, City Press reported.

Her investigation found that On-Point acted corruptly.

Madonsela recommended that the tender be immediately cancelled, and that the NPA and the Asset Forfeiture Unit consider criminal action and that the Master of the High Court investigate the flow of money into Malema's trust.

Malema is scheduled to appear in the same court on Wednesday for alleged fraud and money laundering related to the On-Point tender.

On Tuesday, the police cordoned off streets surrounding the courthouse.

The accused were to hand themselves over to the police before their court appearance.

Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the police were implementing their security plan the day before Malema's appearance.

He said they wanted to be prepared for a planned night vigil for Malema, and ensure people were safe.