A R16 million security tender at Blouberg Local Municipality has been plunged into a fraud and corruption investigation after the police elite, the Hawks, allegedly uncovered firearm details belonging to rival security companies and fraudulent certificates in the winning bidder’s tender documents.

Three suspects, aged between 37 and 57, were arrested in Polokwane on Wednesday as investigators moved against those allegedly linked to the multimillion-rand contract.

The security company that secured the tender has also been charged.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), or the Hawks, issued a media statement on Wednesday saying the investigation, which began in 2024, was triggered by complaints over the awarding of the contract and whether the successful bidder actually met the mandatory requirements imposed on companies competing for the work.

The Hawks’ investigation has now allegedly uncovered discrepancies that strike at the heart of the tender process.

One of the compulsory requirements was that bidders possess a specified number of firearms.

But investigators allegedly discovered that firearm serial numbers submitted by the successful bidder were not linked to firearms owned by that company.

Instead, the Hawks allegedly traced the serial numbers to firearms belonging to other security companies.

The discovery has since raised serious questions about the authenticity of the information submitted to the municipality in support of the bid.

The Hawks say investigators also uncovered fraudulent certificates included in the company’s profile.

Some certification stamps appearing on documents submitted with the tender were also allegedly fraudulent.

The complaints that sparked the investigation were lodged with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in 2024.

The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team subsequently pursued the allegations, eventually placing the docket before the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crime Unit.

The three suspects were arrested on Wednesday, 23 September.

They are expected to appear before the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court today, Friday, where the state will formally place the allegations before the court.