Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health has been rocked by allegations of bribery after security companies complained of harassment by department officials demanding a R200 000 “drink fee” to keep their contracts.
Over 20 companies guard about 40 public hospitals in the province on a month-to-month contract with the department.
Companies that spoke to the Daily News on condition of anonymity said they started receiving calls in May after getting notice of termination of their contracts. Although they received notice to leave their sites at the end of May, each month they were told to continue. They said this created uncertainty, especially as by law they had to give notice to their workers.
The companies called on MEC Nomagugu Simelane to investigate the allegations and clarify whether the letters of termination were valid.
“It is strange that we were served with letters while we have not even seen a tender advertisement for the same job so we don’t understand why the department would cut our contracts (without appointing) new companies to replace us, which is why we ask the MEC to clarify the matter,” said one company owner.
Another owner said they were contacted by phone and told to come to the Coastlands Hotel in Durban and to bring R200000 with them, but later were told to come with the money to the head office.
One contractor said it’s suspected that opportunists were taking advantage of the termination letters. “Maybe someone from the Supply Chain Management issued letters of termination without the directive and knowledge of the MEC, with the intention to make money out of our desperation. If it was a genuine process, why were we asked to continue … None of us have paid the R200 000 bribe,” he added.
Health is the second biggest beneficiary of budget allocation from the provincial treasury after education. The three-year tender was awarded during the time of then Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo and it ended in 2017. Instead of awarding a new contract, companies have been working on a renewable monthly agreement, which is uncommon for such a period of time.
KZN Health spokesperson Ntokozo Maphisa said: “We can confirm that we have received some anonymous and faceless complaints from the people who are not willing to furnish us with the names of the culprits. We, therefore, call on those who have the evidence to come forward and report these unscrupulous culprits so that we can investigate them accordingly because we view these allegations in a serious light.”
Maphisa said the department maintained zero tolerance for fraud, corruption and malpractice.
He added that the department followed all due processes in appointing service providers in an open tender for the establishment of a panel of qualifying service providers.
He said the panel was established in line with existing National Treasury guidelines.
“This process took longer than anticipated, hence the department extended notices in order to finalise the process and ensure that all processes are followed in line with all the prescripts and requirements.
“This process has now been finalised and the new contracts will be implemented in the various hospitals,” Maphisa said.
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