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The Gauteng Health Department has spent R23.6 million buying food for Gauteng hospitals through a fishy Limpopo contract that includes companies not registered to supply food.

This is revealed by Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to the MEC, the department opted to use a Limpopo provincial government contract for food as there was “a shortage of food provisions due to suppliers awarded contracts via the request for quotation (RFQ) not being in a position to deliver.” Food ordered so far from Limpopo includes fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish, eggs and bread.

When I asked why it was not possible to buy these items under contract in Gauteng, they replied that the department “is in the process of establishing a contract for food.”

There are 54 Limpopo companies listed as suppliers of food to Gauteng hospitals, but many are not in the food business, including 7 construction companies! Why is an engineering company, a security firm, and a motor workshop supplying food?

It looks like Gauteng is joining a Limpopo government scam to benefit from dodgy contracts with possible payoffs to ANC politicians.

How is it possible that the department can’t find local companies to supply bread and eggs to hospitals? And why are we paying extra transport costs for perishable food?

Premier Panyaza Lesufi claims to be championing township businesses, but they are being cut out as well.

The DA calls for an immediate halt to this contract and an urgent investigation into who authorised it and who benefits from it.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC