By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Gauteng Department of Education has laid charges against three senior managers over R431 million spent on the decontamination of schools.
This is as the department implements recommendations received from the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) report into the monies spent on decontaminating schools.
According to department spokesperson Steve Mabona, the officials were served with the charges on Wednesday.
The R431 million was for decontamination, disinfecting, deep cleaning and sanitisation of schools and offices
“Following the referral by the SIU and the analysis of the evidence, it has been recommended that the Head of Supply Chain, Chief Director for Infrastructure Development and Acting Director for Auxiliary Services be charged in accordance to the findings in the investigation report,” Mabona said.
The department said it could not rule out the possibility of charging other people as investigations continued.
An investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has revealed that the Gauteng education department did not follow due process in the procurement of services to decontaminate schools during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The SIU announced that it had been granted a preservation order by the Special Tribunal to freeze R6m of bank accounts and assets with an estimated value of R4.7m belonging to 14 service providers.
The freezing order prohibits Fikile Mpofana Pty Ltd; Insimu Projects Pty Ltd; Insimu Consulting Pty Ltd; Insimu Medical Group; Mangaliso Pty Ltd; Lisondalo Pty Ltd; Zenaldo Consulting Pty Ltd; Sigwile Bright Mhlongo; Fikele Eugenia Mpofana; Lindokuhle Bridget Mkhize; Njabulo Mabaso; Richard Mweli; the Shuphula Family Trust; and the Madangu Family Trust from using the funds held in the bank accounts.
The assets the SIU has obtained a freezing order against include: two Mercedes-Benz V Class; a Land Rover Range Rover Sport; a Haval H6; and a Toyota Avanza.
With collaboration from the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), intervention directions have also been issued to place a hold on R30m of the funds received from the education department.
According to the SIU, a portion of the funds the service providers were paid were transferred to multiple beneficiaries who have, in turn, disposed of them.
The SIU said evidence pointing to criminal conduct would be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks for further action.