RECENT court documents regarding a R1.2bn tender for modernisation of the Gauteng health department’s information systems raises further questions about former provincial health MEC Brian Hlongwa, and Premier David Makhura needs to take urgent action against him, Democratic Alliance MPL Jack Bloom said on Monday.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions has made an asset forfeiture application against a R7.2m home purchased in Bryanston, Johannesburg, and the role of Heinz Smidek, chairman of Kemsing, in the purchase of the house, which Mr Hlongwa allegedly occupied and partially demolished.
The state considers the Bryanston property and others proceeds of crime, according to court papers.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions’ application was filed in October last year at the North Gauteng High Court.
Amethst, Baoki and Equiton, former bidders for the modernisation tender, have indicated that they do not intend to oppose the application. This is an about-turn from the original stance of Baoki, which was seeking a claim against the provincial health department for breach of contract.
"The new information is Baoki Consortium is not opposing the forfeiture claim and (has ceded) to the NPA. They said they are not opposing the property allegations regarding Heinz Smidek’s provisions and gratifications including other amounts given to Hlongwa through Kemsing for property and furniture," Mr Bloom said.
Mr Hlongwa currently serves as the chief whip of the Gauteng provincial legislature but Mr Bloom said that Premier Makhura had to make a decision to fire him if the current administration’s integrity was to be salvaged.
"The upshot is that we should have a digital management system and the reason we don’t have it is because this storm prevented it. For six years we have been paralysed from getting an information system because of this," Mr Bloom said.
In court papers a former director of Amethst, Gerrit Henning, who is linked with the Baoki Consortium, said neither Amethst, nor Baoki, nor Equiton Investment Corporation intended to oppose the National Prosecuting Authority’s application, as none could refute the allegations set out in documents in a July order regarding the sale of the Bryanston house.
"Baoki, Amethst and Equiton were shocked to learn of the property allegations. Given these allegations, and as a matter of good corporate governance, it was decided not to oppose the application," the court papers read.
Mr Hlongwa’s conduct during his time as the MEC of health is currently being looked at by the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) provincial integrity committee.
However, despite the party’s 2012 Mangaung resolution that a member holding public office who has corruption cases to answer should vacate their position, Mr Hlongwa occupies a position in the legislature.
Mr Bloom was not confident that this would change if the ANC had its way.
He said Mr Makhura could only instil confidence in the provincial government’s integrity by firing Mr Hlongwa as chief whip.
Brian Hlongwa. Picture: SOWETAN
RECENT court documents regarding a R1.2bn tender for modernisation of the Gauteng health department’s information systems raises further questions about former provincial health MEC Brian Hlongwa, and Premier David Makhura needs to take urgent action against him, Democratic Alliance MPL Jack Bloom said on Monday.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions has made an asset forfeiture application against a R7.2m home purchased in Bryanston, Johannesburg, and the role of Heinz Smidek, chairman of Kemsing, in the purchase of the house, which Mr Hlongwa allegedly occupied and partially demolished.
The state considers the Bryanston property and others proceeds of crime, according to court papers.
The National Director of Public Prosecutions’ application was filed in October last year at the North Gauteng High Court.
Amethst, Baoki and Equiton, former bidders for the modernisation tender, have indicated that they do not intend to oppose the application. This is an about-turn from the original stance of Baoki, which was seeking a claim against the provincial health department for breach of contract.
"The new information is Baoki Consortium is not opposing the forfeiture claim and (has ceded) to the NPA. They said they are not opposing the property allegations regarding Heinz Smidek’s provisions and gratifications including other amounts given to Hlongwa through Kemsing for property and furniture," Mr Bloom said.
Mr Hlongwa currently serves as the chief whip of the Gauteng provincial legislature but Mr Bloom said that Premier Makhura had to make a decision to fire him if the current administration’s integrity was to be salvaged.
"The upshot is that we should have a digital management system and the reason we don’t have it is because this storm prevented it. For six years we have been paralysed from getting an information system because of this," Mr Bloom said.
In court papers a former director of Amethst, Gerrit Henning, who is linked with the Baoki Consortium, said neither Amethst, nor Baoki, nor Equiton Investment Corporation intended to oppose the National Prosecuting Authority’s application, as none could refute the allegations set out in documents in a July order regarding the sale of the Bryanston house.
"Baoki, Amethst and Equiton were shocked to learn of the property allegations. Given these allegations, and as a matter of good corporate governance, it was decided not to oppose the application," the court papers read.
Mr Hlongwa’s conduct during his time as the MEC of health is currently being looked at by the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) provincial integrity committee.
However, despite the party’s 2012 Mangaung resolution that a member holding public office who has corruption cases to answer should vacate their position, Mr Hlongwa occupies a position in the legislature.
Mr Bloom was not confident that this would change if the ANC had its way.
He said Mr Makhura could only instil confidence in the provincial government’s integrity by firing Mr Hlongwa as chief whip.
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