FORMER KZN HEALTH MEC PEGGY NKONYENI AND ANOTHER ACCUSED ADDED IN INTAKA HOLDINGS CASE

Peggy Yoliswa Nkonyeni (64) appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court today (on summons) on charges of fraud and corruption. Her appearance relates to her alleged involvement in the procurement of water purification units (Watakas) and self-generating oxygen units (Oxyntakas) for hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal during her tenure as the MEC for Health. This was from a company named Intaka Holdings which was owned by Uruguayan businessman, Dr. Gaston Savoi. As a result of misrepresentations and the manipulation of the procurement processes, Intaka Holdings benefitted over R100 million.

Today, Nkonyeni and another co-accused, Lindelihle Mkhwanazi were added to the list of accused in this matter, namely Busisiwe Nyembezi, Victor Ntshangase, Alson Sipho Buthelezi, Sandile Kuboni, Kuboni Shezi Incorporated, and Rowmoor Investments 738 (Pty) Ltd.

In addition to the fraud charges, the state is alleging that between August 2006 and November 2007 Nkonyeni and two other accused ( Mkhwanazi and Rowmoor Investments) acted in furtherance of a common purpose and agreed to accept a benefit (either directly or indirectly) of two payments of R500 000 from Intaka Holdings, for their benefit or the benefit of another person, in order to improperly influence in any way the promotion, execution or procurement of the contracts for the supply of two water purification units for two KZN hospitals.

Today’s matter was postponed to 11 June 2026 in the Durban High Court for Mkhwanazi to confirm legal representation, and for Mkhwanazi and Nkonyeni to be provided with statements. The other accused (including Nkonyeni and Mkhwanazi) in this matter will appear in the Durban High Court on 23 July 2026 for a pre-trial conference.

In September 2024, Dr. Savoi pleaded guilty in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to four counts of fraud and six counts of corruption that were committed in the Northern Cape (NC) and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) between the period of 2004 and 2007. The matter was concluded by way of plea and sentence agreement in terms of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedure Act.

He was sentenced to a fine of R5 million or 10-years imprisonment and a further 10 years imprisonment which has been suspended for five years. The court also made a confiscation order for R60 million in favour of the state. The court further ordered that he pays a sum of R15 million as a contribution to the costs arising from the curatorship in the Asset Forfeiture Restraint Application proceedings.

Issued by:

Natasha Ramkisson-Kara

NPA Regional Spokesperson

KZN Division