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By Baldwin Ndaba 
17h ago
Pretoria – Prime Minister David Makhura has placed the provincial department head of Gauteng Health on preventive suspension with immediate effect.
It is alleged that Professor Mkhululi Lukhel did not adequately monitor the Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) tenders issued.
Makhura revealed that he was acting in accordance with the recommendations of the Special Investigation Unit following the updated report that was presented to him on September 22, 2020.
“The Special Investigation Unit found that HOD did not exercise its responsibility in awarding contracts to certain companies for the procurement of goods and services in connection with the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic,” Makhura said.
He said HOD’s alleged actions or omissions may have resulted in the department incurring wasteful and wasteful expenses.
“Professor Lukhele will remain on preventive suspension until SIU completes investigations and disciplinary proceedings for misconduct,” Makhura said.
Lukhele, however, faced further problems when the Public Service Commission (PSC) last month asked the Premier’s office and Health MEC to take disciplinary action against him following the irregular appointment of Kabelo Lehloenya as CFO of the Health Department in 2018.
In August, Gauteng PSC Commissioner Mike Seloane confirmed that the Gauteng health department did not follow proper public service regulations when it sought out Lehloenya for the position in 2018.
“The MECs – Jacob Mamabolo (Roads and Transportation), Barbara Creecy (former Gauteng MEC Finance) and Dr. Gwen Ramokgopa (former Health MEC) who conducted their interview were misled about Lehloenya’s proficiency tests.
“The Lehloenya proficiency test was carried out by a non-existent company. The State Security Agency did not examine her. She also did not have a security clearance when she was appointed to the senior deputy director general positions, ”said Seloane.
He further said: “His appointment bordered on forgery, as it violated the regulations of the Department of Public Service and Administration.”
Seloane said the PSC recommended that disciplinary action be taken against Lukhele and other officials in the department’s human resources division.
Political Bureau
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