Second senior SA Army officer in court in connection with corruption and fraud in a month

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A senior officer based at the SA Army’s Army Support Base (ASB) in Potchefstroom appeared in the Pretoria Commercial Crime Court on Tuesday following his arrest on Monday in connection with corruption and fraud.

His arrest, along with two civilians, follows what SA National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesman Brigadier General Xolani Mabanga called “lengthy investigations” by the Military Police Agency.

The trio’s arrest is in connection with apparent corruption and fraud committed eight years ago. That was when an unnamed company was awarded a tender to erect a security fence around the ASB in the North West town that is home to a number of SANDF bases and units.

All three appeared in court and were granted bail. Mabanga gave no indication of the bail amounts or when they have to appear again.

The court appearance comes just on a month after an SA Army brigadier general was arrested in connection with similar charges of corruption and fraud allegedly committed at the SA Army Signal Formation General Support Base (GSB) Wonderboom, north of Pretoria.

The arrest followed what was also termed “a lengthy investigation” by Mabanga which saw Military Police and Defence Intelligence involved in tender and contract fraud investigations for computer and cable maintenance as well as for air conditioning equipment maintenance at the GSB.

At the time the SANDF gave the brigadier general’s name as Leon Eggers, general officer commanding the Signal Formation, but no name or rank has been made public for the officer from Potchefstroom who appeared in court on Monday.