Johannesburg – The head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), advocate Andy Mothibi, will on Friday brief the nation on finalised investigations and outcomes into allegations of corruption over the Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement by state institutions.
This was revealed by the SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago on Wednesday.
The pending announcement came nearly two months after the SIU had successfully petitioned the Special Tribunal to review and set aside the R139 million contract that was awarded to Ledla Structural Development (Pty) Ltd (“Ledla”) by the Gauteng Department of Health for the delivery and supply of Covid-19 PPE.
The Special Tribunal reviewed and set aside the R139 million contract, and ordered Ledla must pay the cost of the court application.
The court also extended its interim order made on August 20, 2020 to interdict the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) from paying out the pension benefits due to Gauteng Department of Health’s former chief financial officer, Kabelo Lehloenya, pending the finalisation of the action proceedings by the SIU.
The state agency seeks to hold her and one other official liable for losses and damages allegedly suffered by the Gauteng Department of Health.
Lehloenya was also ordered to pay for the SIU’s costs in the application.
The court also froze more than R16.6 million that was found in the bank accounts of Ledla, K Manufacturing and Supply; Rhulani Mboweni Lehong; Kgodisho Norman Lehong – (i.e. a total amount of approximately R16 661 065.23) were declared forfeit to the State.
They were all ordered to pay the SIU’s costs in the application.
Political Bureau