By STAFF REPORTER
North West Health Department continues to be marred with corruption, fraud, maladministration, and tender irregularities allegations. This comes after four service providers that render security services accused the department of tender irregularities worth R900 million.
Ka-Mayaluza (PTY) Limited, Hotline Security CC, Idas Security Guard CC t/a Sidas Security and Phiriphiri Security Services (PTY) Limited took the matter to the North West High Court in Mahikeng after accusing the department of tampering with the bid documents in order to disqualify them from the process.
According to their court application, the department officials allegedly tampered with the bid adjudication proceedings by tearing out some of the pages from the bid documents in order to disqualify them from the process.
Now, the Democratic Alliance provincial spokesperson on Health, Gavin Edwards said they will write to the chairperson of Health Portfolio committee in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Priscilla Williams and Chair of Chairs, Mmoloki Cwaile requesting them to urgently call the Administrator for Department of Health, Jeanette Hunter and MEC Madoda Sambatha to account for the irregular awarding of security tenders totalling R900 million before the committee.
“The Administrator, MEC, Head of Department and Director of Supply Chain Management must answer for the irregular awarding, present a breakdown of how the amount of R900 million was arrived at and also indicate the consequence management measures that will ensure accountability.
“Any person guilty of interfering with the bidding process must face disciplinary action and as the Accounting Officer, the Administrator must be formally investigated,” Edwards said.
He said it earlier this year, the department was in the news for irregularly awarding a coal tender to the chairperson of the bid adjudication committee, William Kaipa who was formerly employed by Sibusisiwe Contractors, which was among the companies that won a tender of supplying coal to hospitals.
Edwards added that tender irregularities, medication shortages, irregular suspension of staff members that speak out against mismanagement, and poor services by healthcare facilities are but a drop in the ocean of maladministration under the watch of Hunter and substantiates their previous calls for her to step down.
“The longer Hunter remains in her position, the more damage she causes to an already distressed department. The judgment by Justice Djaje is a clear indicator that the department continues to ignore proper processes in the awarding of tenders.
“The DA will keep a close eye on developments to ensure that individuals account for the evident corruption within this department. The judgment handed down by the North West High Court in Mahikeng has ordered that a fresh invitation for bids be issued within six months and that the tender be awarded to the successful bidder in accordance with the Procurement Policies and Processes,” said Edwards.
Meanwhile, Sambatha said they have noted the outcome of the court ruling pertaining to the physical security tender. He said the department acknowledges and accepts the instructions of the court to issue a fresh invitation for the bids for the rendering of the physical security services to the department.
The Guardian 