The Department of Water Affairs (DWA) is trying to recoup about R2.8 million from T-Systems, after it was allegedly defrauded by a contractor that was seconded to the department by the outsourcing company.
In June last year, Pono Senokwane, who was working on the department's payroll, appeared in court on charges of fraud after allegedly stealing from the DWA. It is alleged that Senokwane had tried to fleece the DWA of R12 million in total.
DWA spokesperson Linda Page says the department is trying to recoup the money from both T-Systems and Senokwane. Senokwane was immediately removed from site, as soon as T-Systems became aware of the allegations.
The DWA first reported the incident to T-Systems on 8 June 2010, the IT company said previously. “The individual concerned was immediately removed from site, and then suspended on 9 June 2010 for the period up to 31 July 2010, when his contract came to an end.”
T-Systems did not renew Senokwane's contract and the company has “cooperated fully with the Department of Water Affairs and offered our full assistance, resources and support in order to bring this matter to a close”, it has said.
Court appearance
Page says neither criminal nor civil cases have yet been finalised. She says Senokwane will appear in the Pretoria Commercial Crime Court on 4 April. He has not yet pleaded.
“The process of recovering the money from both T-Systems and the contractor is under way, and should amicable negotiations fail, the department will proceed by way of summons,” notes Page. She says this could take as long as five years to resolve.
However, T-Systems says there has not been, nor is there, any legal action between T-Systems and DWA around this - or any other - issue.
“The current criminal matter is between the Department of Water Affairs and the individual. T-Systems has assisted and given our full cooperation to both the Department of Water Affairs and the SAPS with regards to requests for information, and will continue to so.”
Senokwane was originally contracted by CSIPER Consulting, a subsidiary of arivia.kom, in March 2009, with a contract extension until July 2010, says T-Systems. T-Systems SA bought arivia.kom in January 2010.