The North West Health Department’s HoD has been given a leave of absence, pending an investigation into the corrupt awarding of a R470m hospital building project tender in 2008.
Obakeng Mongale, who faces charges of contravening the Public Finance Management Act, was released on R50 000 bail after appearing in the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court last Thursday.
News24 reports that he had handed himself over to the police.
It is alleged that in 2008, Mongale awarded a tender to Ilima Projects and Tsoga Developments, neither of which met bid requirements, to develop the Brits District Hospital, when he headed the North West Department of Public Works (which he left under a cloud of controversy in 2014, and with no action being taken against him).
In 2010, Ilima Projects was allegedly placed under provisional liquidation, which resulted in the termination of the contract. A new company had to be appointed to complete the construction of the hospital.
The department had spent more than R57m when the contract was terminated, and the new contractor then had to carry out major remedial work amounting to millions.
On Monday, Health MEC Madoda Sambatha said chief director for corporate services Dr Madipuo Tlhogane had been appointed as acting superintendent-general in the meantime.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) in the North West said it was concerning the HoD had been implicated in a questionable tendering process.
Provincial secretary Reuben Molete said anyone heading a department should be beyond reproach, and urged the department to “act swiftly and decisively on the matter”.
Mongale’s case was postponed to 31 January 2024 for further investigation, reports Sunday World.
The court also ordered him to hand over his passport to the investigating officer and not to communicate with state witnesses. The court further ordered the accused not to leave the province without informing the investigating officer.
Sunday World article – Career civil servant faces tender-related corruption charges (Open access)
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