Cape Town – THE whistleblower who exposed alleged tender fraud at the Theewaterskloof municipality has abandoned her home in Caledon, after attempts on her life.
Weekend Argus broke the story on the tender corruption scandal in which Lennox Ntsodo, who identifies as a woman, alleged that she was paid almost half a million-rand bribe to Speaker Derek Appel and three others, including coalition whip Raymond Nongxaza, to award a tender to a transport company where Ntsodo used to work.
Ntsodo told Weekend Argus she fears for her life after she received “multiple death threats”.
The threats came after Ntsodo allegedly demanded all the money back after the officials reneged on their promised to award the tender to the company.
Ntsodo said she gave the officials until July 2 to pay back the money.
“On the same day two balaclava-wearing men were seen on my property. I think they chickened out after they realised that there were other people inside the house.
“Two weeks after that my cousin was shot dead outside my home ... they mistook her for me,” Ntsodo said.
“[An official] at the Theewaterskloof municipality said he will remove me from society,” Ntsodo said, adding that they “wanted to chop my head off”.
Even though no case was opened with the SAPS in connection with the July incident, Ntsodo has since moved to a new house.
“I have now hired bodyguards. There’s 12 people living with me ... it’s very difficult and I’m scared,” Ntsodo said.
Ntsodo opened a case of fraud against the Theewaterskloof officials at the Grabouw police station.
The case has since been transferred to the Caledon police station.
“[The case] was transferred to Caledon ... [it] has to do with tender fraud ... Case currently under investigation, at this stage I do not want to comment on persons of interest in this case,” said spokesperson Captain PP de Kock.
Weekend Argus is in possession of screenshots showing that amounts ranging between R40 000 and R50 000 in June 2022 was paid to Nongxaza. In another set of screengrabs it is evident that R3 000 was transferred to the bank account reportedly belonging to Appel.
“The rest I paid them cash,” said Ntsodo.
Ntsodo told Weekend Argus that she regretted her attempts to facilitate a tender for the company.
“I made a mistake, I was desperate,” Ntsodo who has since been axed from the transport company said.
“I wanted work ... I was approached, I’m sorry ... But I’m trying to correct the wrongs now.”
Nongxaza couldn’t be reached for comment while Appel said he stood by his earlier stance that he cannot respond to the allegations.