Dr Sibongile Zungu, former head of the KwaZulu-Natal Health Department, appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday charged with fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act, relating to the irregular hiring and resale of mobile clinics.
Zungu acted as head of Gauteng’s Health Department to bring “stability” during the third wave of the pandemic in 2021, and previously acted as superintendent-general for the Eastern Cape Health Department. She was also the former clinic adviser to disgraced former Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize, reports TimesLIVE.
She appeared briefly with co-accused Dr Sifiso Mtshale.
“It is alleged that during 2013, the KZN Department of Health awarded a 36-month lease to Mzansi Lifecare for the hiring of a mobile clinic: the contract was further extended without following supply chain management process,” said Hawks spokesperson Lt-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo
“Mzansi Lifecare was also given a contract for the purchase of four mobile clinics worth R32m without following any supply chain management process. The vehicles were registered under Mzansi Lifecare instead of the department.”
However, no roadworthy certificates were obtained by the department and the vehicles were parked for three years.
“The director of Mzansi Lifecare, Nandi Msimang, is alleged to have fraudulently removed the four mobile clinics and sold them, with the department suffering a loss of R32m,” he added.
The Hawks’ serious corruption investigation unit began an “intensive probe” after a case of fraud was reported at a Pietermaritzburg police station.
Mhlongo said a warrant of arrest has been issued for Nandi Msimang and the Hawks were looking for her.
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