Mrs Ncamisile Nkwnayana, MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
The IFP feels vindicated on the R61 million KZN Mobile clinic tender after the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane released a report which stated that the purchase of mobile units was improper.
In 2015 we wrote to the previous Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela to launch an investigate into the controversial R61 million tender that saw the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department lease a mobile clinic unit for R52.5 million after the former KwaZulu-Natal Health Department Head, Dr Sibongile Zungu signed off on the lease in August 2013, agreeing that the department would pay Mzansi Lifecare R1.5 million every month until August 2017 to lease the vehicle without staff. The tender for four mobile clinics in KwaZulu-Natal ended up costing taxpayers a whooping R61 million for units that were never delivered.
The seriousness of this report cannot be underestimated as it indicates the depth of corruption whereby due processes are undermined by senior management officials with aims to benefit themselves and certain individuals with dodgy dealings, at the expense of the general public.
The IFP is relieved that at last the Public Protector has finally released this investigation report, and we regard it as a positive step to the right direction towards holding corrupt individuals accountable for their actions. This symbolises victory for us as the IFP because we remain committed in exposing corruption and maladministration to ensure service delivery for the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
We have been vocal about this issue for a long time because we were convinced that proper processes were not followed when this tender was awarded.
In her investigation report, the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane states the following:
That the process followed by the Department to both lease and purchase the mobile units were improper and not in accordance with a system that is fair, transparent, competitive and cost effective in terms of Section 217 of the Constitution, and amounts to maladministration in terms of Section 6(4) of the Public Protector Act.
The expenditure incurred for both the purchase and the lease of the Mobile units amounts to fruitless and wasteful expenditure in terms of Section 1 of the PFMA to an amount of R32 million, and maladministration as contemplated by section 6(4) of the Public Protector Act, 1994.
The HOD as the Accounting Officer at the time failed to act in accordance with the requirements of Section 57 of the PFMA and National Treasury Regulations 8.1, 8.2 and 16A3.2 resulting in improper conduct and terms of section 6(4) of the Public Protector Act, 1994.
The CFO and the HOD failed to ensure that the payments made to Mzansi Life Care for both the lease and the purchase of the Mobile units were approved and processed accordingly in line with the responsibilities entrusted to them in terms of Section 38 and 37 of the PFMA.
As the IFP we therefore urge the KZN MEC of Health, Nomagugu-Simelane-Zulu to ensure that all the remedial action raised in the Public Protector’s report such as taking disciplinary action against the officials of the Department of Health in respect of their conduct are implemented as soon as possible. The MEC should ensure that the HOD through the Provincial Treasury take necessary steps to recover the expenditure incurred by the Department as a result of fruitless and wasteful expenditure for the “purchased Mobile Units”.
We demand that former KZN HOD of Health, Dr Sibongile Zungu and her accomplices must be held accountable and she must pay back the incurred amount to this wasteful expenditure from their own pocket. Above that the Mzansi Life Care must also pay back the money as they improperly benefited. Public funds must not be used to pay penalties for corrupt activities committed by some government officials.
As the IFP we are against the abuse of public funds. Anyone at the KZN Department of Health who is found to be involved and benefited unlawfully in the irregular award of the R61 million Mobile Clinic tender must be arrested and face the consequences of their action. People who abuse public funds must be dealt with accordingly. Government officials who strive in disregarding supply chain process in the awarding of tenders must be punished severely.
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Contact:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwnayana, MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health
078 302 3991