
The matter for which the minister is being investigated dates back to the time when he was still with the provincial human settlement department.
The Hawks are investigating state security minister Thomas Bongo for fraud and corruption.
A report submitted by the Hawks to police minister Fikile Mbalula a week ago and updating him of Bongo’s past shows he allegedly defrauded the Mpumalanga human settlement department, claiming refunds for kilometres he travelled with a car owned by his brother.
Bongo was head of legal services with the department.
The car, bought for R300 000 from BMW Sandton dealer in 2012, is alleged to have been purchased by companies that benefited when the department purchased three farms worth R123 million.
Bongo, who became a member of Parliament in 2014, was last month appointed the new state security minister, in a move that saw higher education minister Blade Nzimande sacked and David Mahlobo, then state security minister, moved to be new minister of the department of energy.
The report on the ongoing investigation on Bongo was submitted to Mbalula by Hawks head Lieutenant-General Yolisa Matakata.
Bongo replied by saying that he had always conducted himself lawfully in the past.
(edited by ZK)
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