Staff Reporter.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed a second appeal by Ledla Structural Development against the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU’s) Special Tribunal orders.
The orders, dated between 10 December 2020 and 4 February 2021, declared the R139 million personal protective
equipment (PPE) contract, awarded by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDOH) to Ledla, unlawful and invalid.
The order also directed that payments made by the department to Ledla be forfeited to the State.
Ledla is linked to Thandisizwe Diko, the late husband of former presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko, who was subjected to an internal disciplinary process after news of the scandal broke in January.
Ledla had initially applied to the Special Tribunal for leave to appeal the order, but that application was dismissed on 25 May 2021.
The company’s two directors then applied to the SCA for special leave to appeal.
The SCA upheld the Special Tribunal’s decision and the case was dismissed on 15 September 2021 on the grounds that there are no reasonable prospects of success in the appeal.
The court also said Ledla failed to provide compelling reasons why an appeal should be heard.
“This is the second failed attempt by Ledla and its directors to appeal the said Tribunal order(s),” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed, with costs, an application by Ledla for leave to appeal the Special Tribunal order declaring the R139M PPE tender illegal & unlawful, and to forfeit funds paid by the State to Ledla. The tender was irregularly awarded by @GautengHealth pic.twitter.com/FFdgiGYoeI
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) September 22, 2021
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption, malpractice, maladministration and irregularities surrounding the procurement of goods and services during the Covid-19 pandemic.