STAFF REPORTER|
THE controversial Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender awarded to Ledla Structural Development, a front company used by the Gauteng Health Department to channel more than R80 million to Royal Bhaca Projects, has been cancelled and set aside by the Special Tribunal of South Africa.
The matter was brought to the tribunal by the Special Investigating Unit which also requested that the R38 million paid out to the company and then distributed to six other entities, be frozen.
The tender was clouded with allegations of nepotism and corruption earlier this year and led to the firing of Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku.
Judge Billy Motlhe also upheld the application to freeze the pension payout of former Health Department Chief Financial Officer Mantsu Lehloenya.
Ledla, alongside other 39 other contractors, stand accused of benefitting from a tender involving the supply of PPE and services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ANC in Gauteng has charged Masuku and suspended presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko, saying the two were furnished with their charge sheet on Tuesday with a pre-hearing set for next week.
ANC provincial spokesperson Bones Modise says the disciplinary process against the two will begin on 14 December.
“I know that they received their charge sheet today. There’s a pre-trial or pre something on the 14th and from the 17th they will be sitting for the disciplinary committee I suppose,” Modise told a local radio station.
(SOURCE: INSIDE POLITICS)
