Gauteng Health is to investigate how an estimated R710m is being spent irregularly on security contracts for the province's hospitals every year.
MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department’s Internal Control and Risk Management units were investigating the issue, and that “based on the outcomes of the internal investigation, consequence management” would be implemented.
She expressed concern that her department was without a fixed long-term security contract in place, and said it was “in the process of advertising a new tender, which is anticipated to be awarded early in the new financial year”.
In the meantime, reports News24, the department is coughing up R59m on month-to-month security contracts at its facilities.
“There are no security contracts in place, only service level agreements,” said the MEC, adding that two previous tenders were advertised and cancelled due to irregularities and issues raised with the specifications by probity auditors.
DA spokersperson Jack Bloom said the security tenders were last advertised and awarded in November 2014 and were supposed to have expired two years later.
However, they have been extended on a month-by-month basis “despite annual warnings by the Auditor-General that it is irregular expenditure”.
“I suspect there has been deliberate sabotage of the tenders, as politically connected people probably benefit from the existing contracts,” he said. “These contracts are poor value as there have been major thefts at Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospitals.
“The DA will closely monitor the award of the new security contracts to ensure they are cost-effective and go to competent companies that will protect our hospitals.”
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Gauteng Health extends irregular hospital security contracts
DA calls for new security at Charlotte Maxeke hospital
Phaahla defends security group accused of liability for Charlotte Maxeke thefts
More than 30 SA hospitals report serious security incidents in past 5 month
Spate of violent crime sees security beefed up at Gauteng Hospital