Public Protector finds against Limpopo Health HOD in 'R932m PPE mess'

This after Sunday papers ran with claims of irregularities and nepotism in the awarding of tenders for the supply and delivery of PPE in 2020.

According to various publications, the department awarded a KwaZulu-Natal company a R185 million PPE contract despite it not appearing on the official database of suppliers.

Pro Secure was among suppliers that secured contracts with the overall value of R932 million.

The Sunday Independent added many of the successful bidders appeared to be politically connected individuals, ANC activists and relatives of senior officials and prominent politicians.

The allegations sparked an investigation by Mkhwebane's office.

On Friday, Mkhwebane delivered the outcomes of several investigations.

This includes the Limpopo Health investigation.

"We found that, indeed, the department did not follow due processes in the procurement of PPEs. The department procured the supply and delivery of PPE's through an emergency procurement process provided for in the National Treasury Practice Notes. 

"The deviation was executed in terms of paragraph 14.2.5 of the department’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) Procurement Policy which provides for the exemption or deviation from the normal bid procedures as necessitated by the emergency of the Covid-19 pandemic," Mkhwebane said.

While some companies were awarded tenders, it's understood no service was provided by them and payments were issued to them.

"Though Mokgobedi Training and Consulting was awarded the PPE tender, the HOD confirmed that the company did not render services and as such was not paid. The Director of Mokgobedi Training and Consulting, Ms Motlatso Elizabeth Moloi also confirmed that the company did not render services and was not paid

"Similarly, though Machawana Trading Enterprise was awarded the tender, the HOD confirmed that the company did not render services and as such was not paid by the Department. The Director of Machawana Trading Enterprise, Mr Milton Moagi confirmed telephonically on 10 December 2020, that his company did not render services as the order was cancelled because the service provider could not deliver services at the required time," Mkhwebane added.

Sedilaka Holdings and Projects as well as Tsopane Pharm Group supplied and delivered the PPEs, and were paid for services rendered but did not claim VAT.

"The conduct of the HOD constitutes maladministration as envisaged in the Public Protector Act, and improper conduct as envisaged in the Constitution."

But claims of nepotism were unfounded.

"We could not find any evidence indicating undue influence, nepotism and or favouritism during the investigation in the awarding of PPE tenders to the said companies."

Mkhwebane recommended Limpopo Premier Stanley Mathabatha take disciplinary action against the HOD for contravening the PFMA within 90 days.

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