A North West Department of Agriculture official accused of pocketing more than R13 000 in bribes including R10 000 for vehicle tyres and additional cash payments in exchange for influencing a government tender has appeared in court.
Seabelo Lebitse (43) appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrates Court on Tuesday, March 31, facing three counts of corruption, following his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Klerksdorp earlier the same day.
According to Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, the case stems from a 2020 tender process in which Lebitse allegedly approached a prospective bidder with a proposition.
“Lebitse reportedly told the service provider that he would assist in facilitating the awarding of a tender on condition that he takes care of him.”
Mathebula said investigations revealed that the arrangement resulted in direct payments to the accused. The service provider allegedly paid Lebitse R10 000 for the purchase of vehicle tyres, along with additional payments of R2 000 and R1 000 on separate occasions.
The payments were allegedly made before the service provider was awarded a service level agreement with the department, which included the construction of a tunnel and the installation of fishponds.
Following the Hawks probe, Lebitse was arrested and formally charged with three counts of corruption.
He was granted R5 000 bail, and the matter was postponed to May 7 for his appearance at the Specialised Commercial Crime Court sitting in Klerksdorp.
The Star
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