KUGOMPO CITY, Eastern Cape – The sole director of Azande Consulting, Doreen Maqu Makhaye (55), and former senior manager of Communication and Marketing at the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), Luzuko Qina (60), handed themselves over to the Hawks’ East London Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on 30 March 2026, facing charges of fraud and money laundering.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said the accused appeared before East London Magistrates’ Court on the same day, where they were released on R5,000 bail each.
“The alleged charges emanate from events that transpired during the period between the 2013 and 2014 financial year, coinciding with the implementation of the Ministerial Outreach Programme for SASSA, which was initiated across various locations, including Gqeberha, Engcobo, Idutywa, Lusikisiki (Qaukeni Great Place) and Mthatha (Mvezo).
“These outreach initiatives were reportedly designed to facilitate public engagement and service delivery and necessitated the procurement of logistical and operational services including, but not limited to, catering, water provision, audio-visual systems, entertainment and the erection of tents for public gatherings and dignitary attendance,” said Mhlakuvana.
He added that a private entity, Azande Consulting, owned by Makhaye, was allegedly appointed as project coordinator, whilst Qina functioned as the internal project manager.
Mhlakuvana said after the event, certain service providers reportedly submitted invoices for payments. Furthermore, it is alleged that some of the business entities also submitted invoices for services that were not even rendered at the event. The matter was immediately referred to the Hawks for investigation.
“Investigations uncovered a deliberately orchestrated and systematic scheme of misrepresentation, wherein Makhaye, apparently acting in the capacity of project coordinator with Qina, unlawfully exploited procurement and payment systems within SASSA.
“Further investigation revealed that through the submission of fraudulent and fictitious invoices purportedly issued by 15 service providers who neither rendered services nor authorised such claims.”
According to Mhlakuvana, this calculated abuse of administrative processes and breach of fiduciary responsibilities resulted in actual financial prejudice of more than R10 million suffered by SASSA.
Moreover, the investigation revealed that funds were channelled into the bank accounts of the companies and the directors were instructed to transfer most of the funds to Azande Consulting.
“The accused made their initial court appearance before the East London Magistrates’ Court on 30 March 2026. The matter was remanded to 27 May 2026, to reappear before the Regional Court as investigations continue.”
The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks, Brigadier Mluleki Dyasi, warned perpetrators that their miscalculations in their calculated crimes will be exposed by the diligent efforts of Hawks investigators.
