The Free State Department of Health’s awarding of multimillion-rand tenders to an emergency services company was unlawful, according to the Special Tribunal which this week ruled against Buthelezi EMS and its affiliated companies.
The Tribunal declared the tenders – for inter-facility emergency medical services – unprocedural and unconstitutional, reports TimesLIVE.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) instituted civil proceedings to review and set aside the irregular tenders and subsequent contracts awarded to Buthelezi EMS, this after the department had paid R532m to four companies linked to owner Thapelo Buthelezi, despite having no valid contracts in place.
Buthelezi One Stop Emergency Med was paid R40.6m, Buthelezi One Stop EMS R4.7m, Buthelezi EMS R305m and B EMS R182m.
In a statement on Monday, the SIU said Buthelezi and associated companies have been ordered to submit audited statements for expenses incurred, income received and profit made under the unlawful contracts.
“Furthermore, the tribunal ruling ordered that Buthelezi pay the legal costs of the application and the SIU’s legal representatives.”
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