FOUR former senior Gauteng Department of Health officials appeared in court on fraud and money laundering related an IT tender valued at more than R1.2-billion.
The four includes the former Head of Department, who was also an Accounting Officer at the time, Chief Director of Information Communication and Technology, Head of Supply Chain Management and the Deputy Director for Executive Support.
The former officials include Sybil Ngcobo, Mmakgosi Mosupi, Valdis Romano and Obakeng Mookeletsi.
The four senior officials were later granted bail by the Palm Ridge Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday afternoon.
They allegedly received kickbacks for ensuring that a contract was awarded to a preferred entity of their choice.
The investigation dates back to February 2007 where the State Information Technology Agency submitted a proposal to the Health Department to continue with an information technology maintenance programme at the department.
The total cost of such a project was meant to be no more than R57-million over three-years.
The contract was instead awarded to a private entity at a cost of around R1.2-billion.
Two private company directors will also be charged.
The tender for was awarded while MEC Brian Hlongwa was in office.
The Hawks declined to comment on speculation that Hlongwa will also be charged along with the four State officials.
Hlongwa was Gauteng’s Health MEC from 2006 to 2009.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that more than R1.2-billion was lost to graft during his tenure.
The 122-page document reveals never-before-seen details about the extent of rot at the Gauteng health department, which essentially became an informal arm of the now-liquidated 3P Consulting.
The SIU referred the matter to the South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecution, among other legal bodies, for possible criminal charges against those involved including Hlongwa.
(COMPILED BY INSIDE POLITICS STAFF)
