In a DA press briefing, Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng MPL and shadow MEC for health produced evidence that showed that court papers recently filed provided more evidence that Hlongwa, former MEC for health, was involved in an alleged illegal tender allocation in the provincial health department.
The court papers were filed in response to an asset forfeiture application by the National Prosecuting Authority in July last year against Hlongwa concerning a house he purchased for R7.2 million in Bryanston. An asset forfeiture application was also filed against 3P Consultants and the Baoki Consortium that were awarded a billion rand joint contract by the department of health.
Businessmen Heinz Smidek and Richard Payne were part of the consortium awarded a R1.4-billion contract by the department in December 2007 to provide a health information system and electronic health records for provincial hospitals and clinics.
Smidek is chairman of Kemsing, CEO of AME Africa and director of Amethyst (Pty) Ltd and Payne is CEO of 3P Consultants.
Bloom said, “The contract was later cancelled by Hlongwa’s successor Qedani Mahlangu.”
According to the documents, the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) made an asset forfeiture application against a R7.2m home purchased in Bryanston, Johannesburg. Bloom alleged Smidek purchased a house, allegedly for Hlongwa who lived there and partially demolished it. Bloom alleged Smidek played a role in the purchase of the property to improperly influence Hlongwa in awarding the tender to the consortium.
The State considers the Bryanston property, and others, proceeds of crime, according to the court papers filed in October last year at the North Gauteng High Court. Bloom said, “They [defendants] have indicated to the court that they do not intend to oppose the prosecution’s asset forfeiture application against them.”
He said according to the NDPP, there was also evidence indicating the existence of an ‘apparent and generally corrupt’ relationship between Hlongwa and Payne.
“Makhura has a choice here, he cannot keep one of the top ANC officials [in the] position as ANC provincial legislature’s chief whip when, meanwhile, there is a dark cloud hanging over him… I call on the premier to take a hard decision to fire Hlongwa in order to distance himself from the corrupt activities by Hlongwa,” said Bloom.
