The former acting HoD of Health in the Northern Cape, who signed three lease agreements worth more than R13m without following proper procurement channels, has been slapped with a penalty of three years behind bars or a fine of R150 000 – but with R100 000 and two years of the three suspended for five years.
The relatively light slap on the wrist for Dr Dion Theys relates to leases that had been concluded with the JP Hugo residence for nursing accommodation, for which the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Kimberley found him guilty of contravening Section 86(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
IOL reports that Theys, who was acting HoD and accounting officer at the time, had signed the dodgy agreements with JP Hugo Trading.
The suspension of part of the fine and the imprisonment for five years are on condition he is not found guilty of the same offence during that period.
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