The former Minister of Health in KwaZulu-Natal appeared in court for corruption related to the tender.
Peggy Yoliswa Nkonyeni (64), on Thursday, appeared at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, facing charges of fraud and corruption. His appearance coincides with the alleged role he played in the purchase of water purification equipment (Watakas) and air conditioning equipment (Oxyntakas) for hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal.
Nkonyeni was the Minister of Health in KZN at the time this allegedly happened. The property was purchased from Intaka Holdings, owned by Uruguayan businessman Dr. Gaston Savoi.
In court, Nkonyeni appeared alongside Busisiwe Nyembezi, Victor Ntshangase, Alson Sipho Buthelezi, Sandile Kuboni, Kuboni Shezi Incorporated, Lindelihle Mkhwanazi and Rowmoor Investments 783 (Pty) Ltd.
The government says that some of the emerging cases involving Nkonyeni took place between August 2006 and November 2007 when Nkonyeni and two others (Mkhwanazi and Rowmoor Investments) were working together to accept a R500 000 benefit from Intaka Holdings to help them find work in two hospitals.
The matter has been postponed to 11 June 2026, at the Durban High Court so that Mkhwanazi can get a lawyer and he and Nkonyeni can be provided with statements. They will return to court on July 23, 2026 to set the stage for the trial.
In September 2024, Gaston Savoi pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud and six counts of corruption that occurred in the Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal between 2004 and 2007. The matter was concluded with a plea agreement under Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.
He was sentenced to pay a fine of R5 million, or serve ten years in prison, he was sentenced to ten years in prison and suspended for five years. The court issued an order to confiscate property worth R60 million. He was also ordered to pay R15 million in forfeiture costs.