Incredibly, none of the 207 suppliers implicated in the Tembisa Hospital looting sprees has yet been blacklisted, although the National Department of Health has apparently now set its sights on the companies linked to the looting of R2bn in public funds, reports the Sunday Tribune.
It has asked the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to start the process of blacklisting them from trading with the state – this after ActionSA laid a complaint with the Public Protector about the delay in the blacklisting.
The SIU’S interim report recently revealed the extent of the corruption, fraud, and maladministration involving three major syndicates and 207 service providers who traded with the hospital under 4 501 irregular purchase orders.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that the SIU was submitting the names of the implicated companies to National Treasury for blacklisting – this in his response to questions from ActionSA MP Alan Beesley, who asked which of the service providers have been blacklisted and the reasons for the delay in doing so.
Motsoaledi said after the release of the SIU’s report, the National Health Council (NHC) had asked that the SIU blacklist the companies, as the department lacks the mandate to do so. However, only the National Treasury can ban companies from participating in government contracts.
“The names have now been submitted to Treasury and we are waiting for these processes to be completed.”
Beesley said his party was deeply concerned by Motsoaledi’s response, effectively confirming that none of the implicated suppliers had yet been blacklisted.
“This means the individuals and companies who siphoned off billions meant for public health services to buy palatial mansions and Lamborghinis are still able to do business with the state,” he said.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Outrage as Gauteng Health still uses ‘blacklisted’ firms
Blacklisted firms still allowed to bid for Gauteng Health tenders
R250m Tembisa Hospital syndicate still scoring tenders
SIU blacklisting of PPE-looters not implemented by govt departments, municipalities