Picture: Head of Department at North West Health Department/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha has suspended the Head of Department (HoD), Obakeng Mongale (52), pending contravention of Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) over R470 million tender case.
This comes after Mongale’s arrest by the Hawks last week.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said, Mongale who is former Head of Department at North West Public Works and Roads, briefly appeared in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court on 2 November 2023, for alleged contravention of Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1 of 1999.
Mamothame said, Mongale handed himself over to the police on 2 November 2023. He further alleged that, in 2008, Mongale awarded IIima Projects and Tsoga Developers a tender to the tune of over R470 million to construct Brits Hospital.
“The investigations by Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, revealed that, the two companies were awarded the tender without meeting requirements. In 2010, Ilima Projects was allegedly placed under provisional liquidation, which resulted in the termination of the contract.
“A new company was appointed to complete the construction of the hospital. The department had spent over R57 million when the contract was terminated. The new contractor had to carry out two major remedial work amounting to more than R4 million, which resulted in the extension of time and cost, which constituted wasteful expenditure,” he said.
Mamothame added that, Mongale was released on R50 000 00 bail and his case was postponed to 31 January 2024 for further investigation. He said, Mongale has been ordered to hand in his passport to the investigating officer and not to communicate with state witnesses.
“Court further ordered the accused not to leave the province without informing the investigating officer,” said Mamothame.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the North West, Major General Patrick Mbotho and the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari lauded both the investigation and prosecution team for working in collaboration towards ensuring that the accused is brought before court to answer to the allegations against him.
Meanwhile, Sambatha said: “Mongale been granted a special leave of absence to afford him time to deal with allegations of contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), which have been levelled against him. While Mongale has protested his innocence, it is only fair that he should be given space and time to deal with the allegations.
“I have therefore granted him a special leave of absence pending the finalisation of his court case. Affording Mongale a special leave of absence, will assist the department to seek legal counsel on the matter.”
He said, however, the determination of leave of absence (Clause 26.3) does provide for special leave for various reasons including “for any other purpose”. Sambatha said he has also taken a decision to appoint the Chief Director for Corporate Services, Dr Madipuo Tlhogane as the acting Superintendent-General for the period of the special leave of absence of the substantive SG.
The Guardian 