EASTERN CAPE –The East London Regional court has sentenced Thobile Maxwel Kamte (38) and his company Max KMT Trading for fraud on Thursday, 02 November 2023. Kamte is a sole director of the company Max KMT Trading. Kamte was arrested on 19 September 2022 by the East London based Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) team of the Hawks on charges of fraud.
On 01 December 2014, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) advertised a tender construction bid to build local offices in various areas. The suppliers were reportedly invited to submit their quotations. Kamte submitted quotations on behalf of his company. Then later his company Max KMT Trading was then appointed to construct the foundation of the building with other suppliers that were also awarded to render other construction work. Then his construction company reportedly built the foundation as prescribed.
After the work was done Kamte on behalf of his company reportedly submitted invoices of an amount of over R 497 000 to SASSA for payments. The payment was processed and subsequent to that the money was successfully paid to his company.
During the auditing, the red flags from the company’s Construction Industrial Development Board (CIDB) certificate were picked up. It was discovered that the company was not registered with CIDB, but instead submitted fraudulent certificate to that effect. The deserving suppliers were therefore disadvantaged from winning the tender. Then SASSA was therefore prejudiced cash to an amount of over R497 000. The matter was then reported to the Hawks for more investigation.
The investigation revealed that the company was not registered to CIDB and the certificate that were submitted during the submission period were fraudulent. Therefore, Kamte unduly benefited from SASSA through a submission of a fraudulent documentations.
Then Kamte was ultimately arrested by SCI of the Hawks on 19 September 2022 and appeared at East London Magistrates’ court on the same day. He was released on R1000 bail.
Kamte made several court appearances until he was convicted and sentenced on 02 November 2023. Kamte and his company was sentenced to pay a fine of R5 000 each, wholly suspended for five (5) years.
Source: saps.gov.za