A FORMER Mpumalanga Department of health official has found himself on the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) radar over contracts irregularities.
This after the SIU announced that it has obtained a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze about R2 million from Tshegofatso Daniel Moralo's pension fund.
Moralo, who previously worked as the assistant director and manager of pharmaceutical services at the Mpumalanga Department of Health, resigned from his position during an SIU-initiated disciplinary process to avoid accountability.
In terms of the Special Tribunal order dated 27 September 2023, Mpumalanga Health Department and Government Employees Pension Fund are 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 \ later Technologies (Ply) Ltd, Tee Tee 15 Trading (Ply) Ltd, Uhuruwankha Primary Cooperative Ltd, Nkuzi Health Medical (Ply) Ltd, and Hlalu Lindzile Construction CC.
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SIU spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said their investigation has revealed that Moralo allegedly had a hand in the irregular awarding of seven contracts amounting to R19 495 102,50 for procurement of goods and services from various service providers during the Covid-19 state of emergency.
He said the SIU’s investigation in the affairs of the Mpumalanga Health Department also revealed that Moralo willfully, grossly 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.
“The SIU is pursuing civil action to review and set aside the contracts, and to recover financial losses suffered by the state.
“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,” he said.
Kganyago praised the Mpumalanga Health Department for acting on the SIU’s disciplinary referral against Moralo.
“We urge other state institutions to also act on disciplinary referrals,” he said.
