[ad_1]
The 2007 contract was approved even though the department had no money for it.
Former senior government officials who appeared in Ridge Magistrates Court on October 22, 2020 after being arrested for alleged bidding irregularities at the Gauteng Health Department in 2007. Image: Nthakoana Ngatane / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Four suspects linked to a Gauteng Health Department tender of R1.4 billion are expected to appear in Palm Ridge Magistrates Court on Thursday on corruption charges.
The 2007 contract was approved even though the department had no money for it.
While the services were never delivered, two companies, Baoki Consortium and 3P, were left with R1.1 billion and R300 million, respectively.
The health information and electronic systems tender was awarded while MEC Brian Hlongwa was in office.
The director of the Baoki Consortium, Heinz Smidek, later bought a R4.6 million house in Bryanston in which Hlongwa lived without paying rent.
More than 10 years later, a report from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) found that Hlongwa received bribes, luxury travel and other benefits.
The report recommended that criminal charges be brought against him and 11 other individuals and companies.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
