By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recommended that two of the businessmen implicated in the corruption scandal at Tembisa Hospital be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and for disciplinary action to be instituted against suspended hospital CEO Dr Ashley Mthunzi.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi released the results of an SIU probe into hundreds of millions of rands worth of dodgy payments from Tembisa Hospital.
Lesufi named five key individuals found benefited from dubious contracts out of Tembisa Hospital, according to the SIU’s preliminary report.
Out of those five, the report recommended that businessmen Morgan Maumela and Stefan Govindraju, whose companies scored more than R700 million’s worth of work collectively, be referred to the NPA for providing the department with false information.
A News24 investigation, examined more than 60 000 e-mails and the contents of Gauteng Department of Health whistleblower Babita Deokaran flagged a string of suspicious transactions at the hospital that totaled R850 million.
Three weeks before Deokaran was assassinated outside her home, she reported the anomalous spending to suspended department CFO Lerato Madyo and called for a forensic investigation.
The SIU probe vindicated her concerns, pointing to “serious” maladministration and irregular procurement processes.
In the report, the SIU said its findings confirmed the allegations of maladministration and possible fraud and corruption related to the supply chain management process at Tembisa Hospital.
“The investigation confirmed that fraudulent suppliers and/or service providers conducting business with GDOH [Gauteng Department of Health] at Tembisa Hospital and that possible fraudulent payments were made as it relates to the fraudulent suppliers and/or service providers,” Lesufi said.
The SIU also said its investigation confirmed the irregular appointment of service providers and uncovered numerous irregularities in respect of the bid documents that were put up.
Lesufi said the SIU would motivate a proclamation based on the findings of possible syndicate activity, corruption, fraud, and the irregular appointment of service providers.