Another company has come out and accused a former supply chain management official of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of defrauding it.
Mencwa Trading Enterprises and Projects, which is owned by businessman Silvester Mkhaliphi Mdlangathi, claims that it lost R164 000 when Mandla Ngcamu allegedly issued a fake tender and pocketed the material that was supplied.
“I am also a victim of Ngcamu’s illegal action, just like Mhlengi Cebekhulu of Cebamkhulu Trading. My company lost R164 000, and the matter was reported to the department that had employed Ngcamu,” Mdlangathi said.
Issued fraudulent tenders
Last week Sunday World reported that Ngcamu allegedly defrauded Cebamkhulu Trading from Edendale township in Pietermaritzburg. That was after Ngcamu issued a tender to Mhlengi Cebekhulu’s company, Cebamkhulu, to supply foot-and-mouth medication to the department.
It appears that the tender specifications were copied word for word from another tender document during the outbreak of the disease in the province early in 2024.
Convinced that his company had scored a lucrative government tender, Cebekhulu supplied the medication. And it was later found that he was duped, and he lost the entire stock.
It is alleged that Ngcamu diverted it elsewhere. However, this claim could not be verified as Ngcamu could not be reached for a comment. After learning that he had been defrauded, Cebekhulu sprang into action and reported the matter to the department.
Department confirms incidents
The spokesperson for the department, Vusi Zuma, confirmed that the two companies were alleged victims. They provided evidence during the disciplinary hearing of Ngcamu, he said.
“Disciplinary action was taken against the KZNDARD official for the allegations of fraud, misrepresentation. Also for …dragging the Department’s name into disrepute with fictitious orders. This was in accordance with the Disciplinary Code and Procedure for the Public Service (PSCBC: Resolution No. 1 of 2003). The disciplinary hearing against the official was finalised in February 2025.
Official dismissed
“There are two companies that have been affected. And they have assisted the employer throughout the investigation and disciplinary hearing. The official has since been found guilty of misconduct and received a sanction of dismissal dated 23 April 2025.
“He has, however, subsequently appealed the sanction. It is being referred to the Appeals Authority for consideration,” Zuma said.
