Gauteng acting Health MEC Jacob Mamabolo has cleared the Gauteng Health Department’s former chief financial officer Kabelo Lehloenya of allegations that she improperly appointed a Johannesburg audit firm to review the department’s annual financial report.
An IoL report notes that Mamabolo said in a written reply to questions from Democratic Alliance's (DA’s) Gauteng spokesperson on health, Jack Bloom, that Lehloenya had done nothing wrong. Bloom had asked Mamabolo to explain why the appointment did not follow normal tender procedures.
In his reply, Mamabolo said the audit firm was appointed for the review of the department’s annual financial statements and annual report for the 2018/2019 financial year. Mamabolo said the department lacked internal capacity. Mamabolo added the audit firm conducted its job for a month last year and was paid R1,059 791.50. He confirmed Lehloenya authorised the choice of the company but said there were no irregularities in the appointment and payment of funds.
According to Bloom, it was suspicious that the firm was appointed by Lehloenya, who was now under investigation over personal protective equipment contracts.
[link url="https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/mamabolo-clears-former-gauteng-health-cfo-kabelo-lehloenya-c60a5c2b-28b6-430a-9b4a-e66c384e2152"]Full IoL report[/link]