The Gauteng Department of Health investigation into the alleged wrongful awarding of security contracts worth R32 million has recommended that criminal charges be instituted against the chairperson of the Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC).
While the Gauteng MEC for Health, Qedani Mahlangu was addressing the legislature, she highlighted several challenges facing her department. She revealed that it was also recommended that four officials, who were part of the bid committee, be charged departmentally for their role in the said process.
Mahlangu said, “Legal process was underway to terminate the contract of the four companies that were irregularly appointed, which are Might Women Investments (R6 million), Skets Projects (R7 million), Mjayeli Security (R9 million) and Bokone Bokone Guarding (R10 million).”
Among the challenges cited was the non- or late payment to service providers and she informed the house that the department had been able to pay about 56 percent of the companies which render services to the department since the beginning of the year. Mahlangu attributed late payment to numerous challenges such as the late submission of invoices by companies; delays in the submission of invoices to institutions by suppliers; suppliers who over deliver quantities ordered; and charging incorrect prices on invoices after receipt of an order with predetermined prices.
However, she assured the house that measures had been put in place to address these challenges. “Amongst these, there is a team going into institutions to assist [in] resolving challenges. There are monthly reconciliations, a centralised point for submission of invoices, and formulation of finance and a supply chain management forum to address challenges and working towards payment of suppliers within 30 days,” the MEC said.
Mahlangu added that over 509 companies were still owed money by the department as at 30 January this year. The MEC stated that she had met with the suppliers who had nothing to do with the delays, and apologised, pleaded for their continued support, acknowledged their cooperation and undertook that they will be paid accordingly. She also informed the legislature that a process to create an electronic filing system was underway at various health facilities across the province which, she said, is expected to be completed by the 2018/19 financial year.
