In her third detailed report, AG Tsakani Maluleke says the Free State Development Corporation (FDC) made a payment for a transformer with no evidence of goods or services received.

In her analysis and auditing of the evidence, she also found that the controversial entity has outstanding receivables for utility services that have not been collected. Maluleke adds that material irregularities have thus far been reported to the Hawks, and their investigations are ongoing.    

ALSO READ: AG reports irregularities at FDC to the Hawks

Maluleke also flagged the MEC for Health, Montseng Tsiu’s department, for payments made for work that was not performed at the National Hospital - for repairs and renovations of the workshop, garages, laundry, pharmacy and kitchen. Maluleke further explains that the Department of Health has since reported the irregularities to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in February and April of this year.

ALSO READ: Calls for intervention at Free State Health mount

"The report includes a wealth of information on the irregularities that we identified through our audits and their impact on auditees. It also transparently reports on what accounting officers and authorities have done or are doing to recover financial losses, prevent further losses and ensure there are consequences for the officials involved.

"Some have been successful in this regard, while others have not taken appropriate action and are exposing their department or public entity to continued loss, misuse and harm. We are fully committed to implementing the enhanced powers given to our office – without fear, favour or prejudice. 

"If accounting officers and authorities, supported by their political leadership, fulfil their legislated responsibilities and commit to taking swift action when we notify them of an MI, there is no need for us to use our remedial and referral powers or to issue a certificate of debt.

"Yet we do not hesitate to use these powers when accounting officers or authorities do not deal with material irregularities with the required seriousness. In this report, I account for the instances where I took remedial action and made referrals, as well as where I included recommendations in the audit reports of these auditees," AG Maluleke further adds.

Earlier, the Congress of the People (Cope) made a passionate plea to President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla, to intervene in the Free State Health Department.

Cope's spokesperson, Dennis Bloem, told OFM News that President Ramaphosa and Minister Phaahla must not delay the much-needed intervention. He claimed that the Free State's Health Department had collapsed, with dysfunctional hospitals and some hospitals running out of medication for months. He said the hospitals have also been hit by a shortage of specialists, nurses, and general health workers.

OFM News has previously highlighted issues besieging the Bloemfontein-based Pelonomi Hospital and the Welkom Bongani Hospital, amongst others.

ALSO READ: Pelonomi staff members issue management with ultimatum

In 2019, workers affiliated with the National Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) downed tools and embarked on a protest over similar issues raised by Bloem.

At the time, workers led by Nehawu said the shortage of staff, including nurses and security guards, must be addressed. They also raised issues of safety at work.

**At the request of the Free State Health Department and in order to clarify this article, as published on 23 November 2022, OFM News would like to add that AG Maluleke in her report further indicates that the Accounting Officer (AO) of the department has since terminated the contract of the implementing agent responsible for the project in February 2022 and also reported the Material Irregularities (MI) to the South SAPS in February 2022 and the SIU in April 2022 for investigation.

OFM News