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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has noted the allegations of tender irregularities levelled against the Department of Health and views it in a serious light.

According to media reports, the chairperson of the bid adjudication committee, William Kaipa, was formerly employed by Sibusisiwe Contractors, one of the companies that won a tender of supplying coal to hospitals.

It is further alleged that the contract was not awarded to the lowest bidder, there exist discrepancy in prices of coal, even among different bidders from the same town and also that the prices of the coal were not determined by the proximity of the hospitals, resulting in the contractor closest to the source of coal (Rustenburg) priced higher than the furthest, which is Wolmaransstad.

The DA will submit written questions to the MEC for Department of Health, Madoda Sambatha, requesting the adjudication report on the tender process and an explanation of the nature of its relationship with Mr Kaipa.

We call for an independent forensic investigation into this matter to ensure that all processes were above board. If irregularities are found, there should be serious consequences for those involved.

Amidst having to wage a war on Covid-19 that is slowly rising in the province, the Department has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons - from the suspension of four senior officials over tender irregularities to the Public Service Commission (PSC) report slamming the MEC for being a referee and a player in the appointment of a senior official.

The DA will closely monitor the Department’s next step of action to ensure that all wrongdoing is dealt with.

Issued by The DA