A massive R257m personal protective equipment (PPE) contract awarded by Gauteng Health to Nkhane Projects and Supply has been declared invalid by the Special Tribunal, which has also asked the company to submit audited statements relating to the tender.
News24 reports that the statements, which must be provided within 30 days of 5 August, have to show income and expenses related to the PPE delivered under the contract, and be supported by expert reports
Additionally, Nkhane has to pay the SIU’s costs for the application, including the costs for two counsels where applicable, according to Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
The judgment comes after an investigation found that Nkhane had made an unsolicited proposal to the Gauteng Department of Health outside a competitive bidding process.
“No request was made for a deviation from normal procurement procedures, and none of the required procurement prescripts was followed,” Kganyago said.
The judgment was expected to bring finality to a High Court case in which Nkhane is demanding payment of R89 350 280.10 from the Gauteng Health Department.
The amount included R60 863 045.90 for goods already delivered but not yet paid for.
It also included R28 487 234.20 for goods ordered by the Health Department, for which it is refusing to accept delivery.
The High Court case was formally stayed by the SIU, pending the finalisation of the tribunal case, and the judgment “signifies a crucial step in addressing corruption and ensuring accountability in PPE procurement during the Covid-19 pandemic”, added Kganyago.
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