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The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) has issued a subpoena to Gauteng health department officials to pay the state an amount just under R30 million.
Kaizer Kganyago, SIU’s head of stakeholder relations and communications, said the subpoenas were issued as part of his ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the province.
Those who received a subpoena include the department’s former chief financial officer, Kabelo Lehloenya, Kganyago said.
Kganyago said that a few months ago the SIU froze Lehloenya’s pension money as part of its investigation.
He said the matter was now expected to go to court, which was scheduled for October 6, however the court has yet to confirm this date.
Kganyago said officials who received the subpoenas have yet to respond.
Meanwhile, an official was recently suspended by the department for alleged corruption in the PPE.
The acting head of supply chain management was suspended after an attempted breach of supply chain management processes was discovered.
The department recently made headlines about awarding millions of PPE contracts to the disputed King of AmaBhaca, Madzikane II Thandisizwe Diko.
He is the husband of Presidential Spokesperson Khusela Diko, who is also on the ANC’s Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee.
Diko has been absent from all official government posts, pending investigation of the allegations.
Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku is currently on special leave for the matter.
The ANC’s provincial integrity commission has determined that Masuku did not exercise adequate oversight of the PPE contracts awarded by the department.
Masuku’s wife, Loyiso, who is a Joburg city councilor, is also on leave pending investigation of the matter.
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