DA want Deputy Health Minister to face corruption charges

We maintain that executive authorities within government departments should never be absolved of accountability-DA KZN.

The Democratic Alliance in KZN, is calling for the courts to summon former KZN Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dlomo (now Deputy Health Minister), to account for the flouting of procurement procedure in the purchase of mobile clinics in 2013.

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CORRUPTION CASE

It is alleged that during 2013, the KZN Department of Health awarded a 36-month lease to Mzansi Lifecare (Pty) Ltd for the hiring of a mobile clinic.

Dr Sibongile Zungu and co-accused, both former Heads of KZN Department of Health appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court earlier this week on charges of fraud and contravening the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999.

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“It is alleged that during 2013, the KZN Department of Health awarded a 36-month lease to Mzansi Lifecare for the hiring of a mobile clinic: the contract was further extended without following supply chain management process,” said Hawks spokesperson Lt-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo

“Mzansi Lifecare was also given a contract for the purchase of four mobile clinics worth R32m without following any supply chain management process. The vehicles were registered under Mzansi Lifecare instead of the department.”

In a statement DA MPL Edwin Baptie says, “The time has come for the Deputy Minister to come clean. This is his opportunity to either be acquitted – or not. Alternatively, those officials implicated must tell the truth about any involvement of political principals in this criminality. If they believe that they are the scapegoats, then they must say so.”

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MSIMANG ON THE RUN

“The director of Mzansi Lifecare, Nandi Msimang, is alleged to have fraudulently removed the four mobile clinics and sold them, with the department suffering a loss of R32m,” he added.

The Durban-based Hawks’ serious corruption investigation unit began an “intensive probe” after a case of fraud was reported at a Pietermaritzburg police station.

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Mhlongo said a warrant of arrest has been issued for Nandi Msimang and the Hawks were looking for her.