Johannesburg - The gloves are off in Limpopo, with MEC for Health Phophi Ramathuba and EFF provincial chairman Mike Mathebe tackling each other over a R2.2 million laundry contract awarded before Ramathuba’s appointment.
Mathebe has filed a complaint with the Polokwane police against Ramathuba and her senior management team.
The charges relate to a contract awarded to Mphefedzi Business Enterprise on May 12 to manage the laundry services of 32 hospitals.
Mathebe alleges the company had no equipment, or if it did, it wasn’t functional.
“The department’s inspectors determined, after an inspection, that the company was not to be recommended, yet the man got not only one, but 32 hospitals,” he said.
Phuti Seloba, spokesman for Premier Stan Mathabatha, said the provincial government was investigating the matter.
However, Seloba blasted the EFF for what he said was its “political point-scoring”.
Ramathuba said she found it perplexing that the EFF had opened a case against her, as she was not the MEC when the tender was advertised.
The tender was advertised on October 17 last year and awarded on May 18.
“I was sworn in as an MPL on Wednesday, May 27, and attended orientation on the Thursday and Friday. I started at the office as MEC on Monday, June 1.
“I had nothing to do with the tender, and the matter is being investigated. The truth will come out.
“The department will not tolerate any corruption.”
The Sunday Independent
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