Johnathan Paoli
THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said on Monday that it has obtained a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze approximately R2 million from Tshegofatso Daniel Moralo’s pension fund pending the finalisation of a probe into the awarding of seven tenders worth more than R19 million.
Moralo, who was employed at the Mpumalanga department of Health as assistant director and the manager of Pharmaceutical services, resigned amid an SIU investigation which found that Moralo allegedly had a hand in the irregular awarding of seven contracts amounting to R 19 495 102.50 for procurement of goods and services from various service providers during the Covid-19 state of emergency.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said in terms of the Special Tribunal order dated 27 September 2023, Mpumalanga health department and Government Employees Pension Fund were interdicted from paying pension benefits due to Moralo, pending the finalisation of civil action instituted by the SIU against Silver Falls Scientific Solutions CC, Sifiso Siyafezeka CC, Nkabo Water Technologies (Ply) Ltd, Tee Tee 15 Trading (Ply) Ltd, Uhuruwankha Primary Cooperative Ltd, Nkuzi Health Medical (Ply) Ltd, and Hlalu Lindzile Construction CC.
The investigation also found that Moralo willfully, grossly and/or negligently failed to ensure compliance by the department with all the prescripts regulating public sector procurement and failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that the Department does not incur irregular expenditure.
Kganyago said that the SIU is pursuing a civil action to review and set aside the contracts, and to recover the financial losses suffered by the State and that the freezing of Moralo’s pension benefits is part of the implementation of SIU’s investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses due to corruption or negligence.
The spokesperson applauded the Mpumalanga health department for acting on the SIU’s disciplinary referral against Moralo, saying that the unit has urged other state institutions to also act on disciplinary referrals.
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the unit is empowered to institute civil action in a high court or Special Tribunal and in terms of criminality, refers any evidence to the NPA for further action.
In accordance with Proclamation R23 of 2020, the SIU was directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice, and payments made by State institutions relating to PPE procurement and the conduct of State employees.
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