This is according to a report presented to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that was made in parliament by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team that was established to steer several of the provincial government’s departments back to safety after President Cyril Ramaphosa placed the province under administration in May last year. According to the presentation, these cases are related to government contracts in the province and the total amount involved in these cases is R2,497 billion.

According to the report, ten cases are currently on court rolls for trials while there are 21 cases still pending decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). Three cases have already been declined by the NPA for prosecution while 15 are still pending investigation. Meanwhile, the office of the provincial premier is also investigating 42 of cases of maladministration and corruption in the office as well as in its health, public works and roads, education and transport departments.

OFM News reported in November last year that North West Premier, Job Mokgoro, suspended two officials, namely Brian Setswambung and Mothusi Toka, who were the Chief Director of Communications and Chief Director of Communications respectively. Their suspension comes after the Auditor General issued a report on the NEPO Data Dynamics contract, which was worth R12 million, but the AG found that payments amounted to more than 20 times the initial contract agreement between 2016 and 2019. This contract was to modernise the ICT system of the Office of the Premier as well as the entire North West Provincial Government. Setswambung was also former Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s spokesperson. Meanwhile, the IMTT cited the suspension of the NEPO Data Dynamics contract as well as the controversial Mediosa contract, which was worth R30 million, and finally the Ayamah Consulting project, said to be worth around R103 million, as progress in dealing with irregular contacts and project management units. Gupta-linked Mediosa was allegedly awarded a R50 million, three year contract by the health department’s now suspended Dr Tebogo Lekalakala, without it ever going to tender. Lekalakala’s visit to India in 2017 was also allegedly paid for by the company. Ayamah Consulting Engineers, on the other hand, allegedly received R103 million from the provincial public works and roads department, towards the refurbishment of roads in the province, just four days before the end of the financial year. However, this amount was paid upfront in March last year and was meant to go towards the refurbishment of roads in the province. When the provincial legislature’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) quizzed the then MEC of the department, Phakiso Mothupi, on why he made this pre-payment, he was unable to answer questions posed to him. Scopa then referred the matter to the Hawks. Other officials which are under investigation, including four junior officials and one middle manager, are facing disciplinary processes related to corrupt conduct, dishonesty and fraud in the Department of Social Development. An investigation into various contracts awarded by the Department of Education and Sports Development and Community Safety and Transport is also currently under investigation, however, the report states that no formal charges have been laid yet.

OFM News