Hamilton Ndlovu, a businessman once known for flaunting his multimillion-rand sports cars, now faces the possibility of jail time after defying a Special Tribunal order.
Story Summary:
- Hamilton Ndlovu has been found in contempt of a Special Tribunal order to surrender luxury assets.
- The Tribunal ordered him a suspended 30-day jail term and R500,000 fine.
- This case forms part of broader investigations into PPE procurement fraud.
Hamilton Ndlovu faces jail time: Here’s what the Special Tribunal ruled
The order, issued by the Tribunal following investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), required Ndlovu to surrender several luxury assets linked to fraudulently awarded personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, the Special Tribunal found Ndlovu in contempt for his failure to forfeit specific luxury items, as previously directed.
The assets he has yet to surrender include:
- A Mercedes Benz G63 AMG worth approximately R4 million,
- A fleet of Scania trucks valued at around R1.6 million, and
- Expensive wristwatches, including a Cartier valued at R80,000 and a Rolex priced at R240,000.
The Tribunal issued a 30-day suspended jail term for Ndlovu, giving him a final window to comply.
Additionally, a R500,000 fine has been imposed on him, which remains suspended for a year on the condition that he does not violate Tribunal orders again.
Ndlovu’s non-compliance follows a high-profile auction in August, where some of his seized assets were sold.
The auction included vehicles like a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, a Porsche Panamera GTS, and a rare 2019 Lamborghini Urus.
Despite the items being sold below retail value, the auction saw significant public interest, as each car symbolised Ndlovu’s rise to wealth and the spectacular fall following the government’s probe into COVID-19 tender fraud.
The sale of these assets marked a critical step by the authorities to recover misappropriated state funds.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago noted that the seized assets represent the state’s commitment to reclaim funds misused through corruption and fraud, emphasising that Ndlovu’s dealings exploited the NHLS and disregarded public welfare.
Ndlovu’s downfall and the case against him
The latest developments in Ndlovu’s case follow his initial public rise in 2020, when he posted a now-infamous video displaying several high-end vehicles bought simultaneously.
The footage, posted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, attracted scrutiny, leading to revelations about his involvement in lucrative PPE tenders worth R170 million.
Investigations revealed that Ndlovu’s contracts with NHLS were facilitated through a network of front companies and marked by excessive pricing.
Following the SIU’s findings, the Special Tribunal ordered Ndlovu to return an estimated R158 million.
The SIU, acting under the SIU and Special Tribunals Act, has also referred findings from Ndlovu’s case to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for potential criminal proceedings.
