Category: Health Care

Former Gauteng Health senior and executive officials are among nine suspects expected today to appear before court as police pounce on those who allegedly fleeced the department of R221 million, between 2006 and 2010.

In a statement, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said the group, who handed themselves over on Tuesday, was among private individuals and entities charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering and a pattern of racketeering activity perpetuated against the department.

“Eight of the nine have handed themselves over at SAPS Johannesburg Central for processing and will thereafter appear at Johannesburg Magistrate court. The ninth is said to be out of the country and the process of applying for his extradition is in progress,” said Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo.

She said the development formed part of the second leg of investigation into allegations of gross irregularities committed at the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), between the period of 2006 and 2010.

The case was referred to the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation unit by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) in September 2011 for further criminal investigation.

Mbambo said the department awarded several contracts to an entity or juristic person which was initially meant for a period of two years, at a cost of R68 million (incl. VAT) per annum. “However, this amount was allegedly overspent to the tune of R221 million without any consequences to the individuals involved,” she said.

The main contract was the establishment of a “Project Management Unit (PMU)” which was first awarded on 4 July 2007 and was extended again on the 17 February 2009 for another three years without putting it out on an open tender and at a cost of approximately R273 million per annum.

Several senior and executive officials of the department allegedly received gratifications from the main service provider and subcontractors in the form of cash, loans, gifts and all-expense paid holiday, local and international trips. It is further alleged that none of the Gauteng Health Department officials ever declared such gifts.

The first leg of investigation was concluded in October 2020, when four senior officials from the Gauteng Health Department, Sybil NgcoboSybil Ngcobo, Mmakgosi Mosupi, Valdis Romaano and Obakeng Mookeletsi were charged for similar offences and appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court for corruption charges worth R1.2 billion tender. They will appear again on 28 January 2022.

National Hawks Head, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, applauded the team for the arrest and said: “Although this investigation had challenges of its own, I am satisfied that our prioritisation has resulted in securing the attendance of the accused who shall also face the charge of pattern of racketeering activity which is in general terms organised crime.

“The investigation team and prosecutors are commended for the efforts invested in the matter since prioritisation.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

The African Union (AU) has condemned and called for the lifting of travel bans on Southern African countries, most notably South Africa, following the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The variant was detected and announced by South Africa’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in November and was declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation soon thereafter – leading to countries across the globe closing their borders to travellers from South Africa and the region.

In a statement on Tuesday, the AU highlighted that the travel bans have a multi-layered impact on countries from the Southern African region.

“These travel and entry bans…lead to: adverse impact on the economy which will negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of populations concerned. [They also lead to] limited capacity to access essential medical supplies needed to respond to the ongoing upsurge of cases in South Africa [and] limited capacity for Southern African researchers and scientists to access the reagents needed to monitor spread of the Omicron variant and to investigate and characterize its impact on transmissibility, disease severity and possible evasion from vaccines.”

The Union further raised concern that a targeted approach is being imposed on South Africa and its neighbouring countries despite “widespread distribution of Omicron cases globally”.

The continental body added that the imposition of a travel ban and its impact could deter countries from reporting on any variant that may arise in the future.

“[P]enalizing Member States for ensuring timely and transparent data dissemination in accordance with international health regulations acts as a disincentive for information sharing in the future, potentially posing a threat to health security on the continent and globally”.

The union called for more emphasis to be put on the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines on the continent.

“Equitable access to vaccines is key to immunize populations, control transmission of the virus and prevent the emergence of new variants. International efforts should accordingly focus on increasing vaccination coverage on the continent.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

NELSPRUIT – A case with two counts of murder is being investigated by the police in Nelspruit after two bodies were discovered on Sunday morning, 05 December 2021 at Mataffin outside of Nelspruit.

At around 08:35 police attended a scene after being informed of a bad odour comimg from a certain house. When the members arrived at the said house they found the door of house closed but unlocked and discovered a body of a 44 year-old-woman on the ground with a bed on top of her. The victims head was covered with a plastic bag and visible wound on her shoulder.

The neighbours further informed police that the woman was residing with her son and were both last seen on Thursday, 02 December 2021. The two were never heard of or seen since then. The body of a 28-year-old man believed to be the woman’s son was also found at the house’s garage with stab wounds.

Police urge anyone with information that can assist in tracing the suspect / suspects to call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may remain anonymous.

Source: South Africa Police Service

POLOKWANE – A 28-year-old suspect arrested for allegedly raping a six-year-old child and then killing her on Friday night, 03 December 2021 at Dark City, Praktiseer outside Burgersfort, will appear in court tomorrow on Monday 06 December 2021.

It is alleged that the deceased was playing with other children in the neighbourhood when her mother noticed that she had disappeared and started to seach for her, with assistance of the community. The Police were called and proceeded with the search operation. The child’s body was then discovered dumped in a neighbour’s yard.

The Police immediately commenced with the manhunt for the suspect who was said to be residing in the same street as the victim. He was found hiding in one of the neighbour’s yard and immediately arrested. Police Preliminary investigations conducted at scene suggest that the victim was raped before she was killed

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has commended the police for their prompt response that led to the arrest of the suspect within hours after he allegedly committed this horrendous crime.

Source: South Africa Police Service

GAUTENG – The Community Service Centre and Offices at the Vanderbijlpark police station will be temporarily closed for decontamination after a member tested positive for Covid-19.

The Community Service Centre will be temporary relocated to Crime Office.

Telephone lines at Vanderbijlpark SAPS Community Service Centre will not be accessible during closure.

The SAPS management apologise for any inconvenience that may arise from this.

The Community is advised to contact the following numbers:

Crime office – 016 910 9100

Relief Commander – 071 676 7776

Sectors – 071 675 7245 / 079 881 8521

Station Commander – 071 475 6717

Vispol Commander – 082 332 5036

Source: South Africa Police Service

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has urged citizens to not let their guard down and vaccinate as the number of new COVID-19 infections is on the rise.

South Africa recorded 11 535 new Coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours compared to the 2 465 that was recorded on Thursday last week.

“The numbers over the last seven days and the curve depicting them, there is a much steeper upward curve than has ever been seen in the last three waves,” the Minister said on Friday.

In addition, over the last seven days, the spike that started in Gauteng has now spread in all nine provinces with numbers increasing in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West and Mpumalanga.

Free State and the Northern Cape are still the only two provinces that are seeing low numbers, he said.

New cases peaked by more than 300% in the last seven days, with a positivity rate of 22% on Thursday from 1% to 2% two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Phaahla said preliminary data shows that the new Omicron variant was highly transmissible, including infecting people who are vaccinated. However, causing mostly mild illness, especially among the jabbed.

“At this stage, the trend is a rapid rise in cases but we hope mild cases will continue to dominate.”

He told the media that those who are not jabbed and young people below 40 years, most of whom have not received the vaccine, dominate hospital admissions.

According to the Minister, Gauteng, which is currently the epicentre, is working with the national team to ensure the provision of services for those who will become seriously ill.

He also raised concerns about healthcare workers who may catch the virus and isolate, which will lead to staff shortage.

Phaahla pleaded with citizens to be more vigilant and apply all the health and safety measures.

“While we’re saying, ‘what is government going to do?’ I think all of us individually and collectively, we could even reduce the level to which even regulatory intervention could be required by simply especially, just the wearing of masks.”

The key factor, according to the Minister, was to avoid big gatherings such as end of year functions and birthday parties, especially if they are indoors.

Meanwhile, Phaahla urged people who have tested positive or are still waiting for their results to stay at home.

“Going to queue whether it’s for medicines or groceries is very irresponsible. We should, all of us, condemn that and advise people to keep away from mixing with other people.”

The Minister has described vaccination as not just an option but also a matter of saving lives, livelihoods and the lives of health workers and the nation as a whole.

He once again used his platform to call on everyone above the age of 12 to get the jab.

“This fourth wave which we have started can be managed without too many casualties and loss of lives, if we observe safety measures, the biggest risk being gatherings especially indoors,” he added.

Above all, he said lives could be saved if eligible people are inoculated.

“While there are still many questions around Omicron, the evidence thus far is clear that like all previous variants, our best protection against serious illness and death is vaccination.”

Source: South Africa Government News Agency