Clement Raphalalani (57), a former deputy director of the Kutama Sinthumule Correctional Centre outside Louis Trichardt, was found guilty on nine counts of corruption on 12 May by the Louis Trichardt Magistrate's Court.
According to Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke, Raphalalani, who was a procurement officer at the prison, awarded a tender to supply different items to the facility worth R1 071 831 to Vhalenda Zwashu Trading Enterprise owned by Delicia Sadiki, who appeared to be his partner, without following due processes in 2017.
"The Hawks' investigation revealed that in 2017, Raphalalani also awarded another tender worth R2.7 million to the Penson Manufacturing Company belonging to Editha Pengson (57) without following supply chain processes. Further investigations revealed that Raphalalani, together with Thabo Makamane (53), who was also a deputy director at the facility, awarded a tender worth R3 588 707 to Durafoam Distributors CC without following due processes. The Kutama Sinthumule Correctional centre suffered a loss of over R18 million due to these corrupt activities," said Maluleke in a press release.
Raphalalani was arrested during a sting operation by the Hawks in December 2018. He is also implicated in other corrupt activities at the facility and has since been convicted by the same court on 1 September 2020.
The case against Raphalalani has been postponed until 15 June for pre-trial sentencing.