Former Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa, seven others granted bail

Former Gauteng Health MEC, Brian Hlongwa, and seven others have been granted bail by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court.

The group facing charges relating to multi-million-rand tender fraud in the Gauteng Health Department – handed themselves over at the Johannesburg Central Police Station on Tuesday morning.

The charges emanate from Hlongwa’s tenure as MEC between 2006 – 2009.

The case relates to allegations of gross irregularities at the Gauteng Department of Health between 2006 and 2010. It was referred to the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit by the Special Investigation Unit in September 2011 for further criminal investigation.

The Gauteng Health Department awarded several contracts to an entity or juristic person which were initially meant for a period of two years, at a cost of R68 million per annum. However, this amount was allegedly overspent to the tune of R221 million without any consequences to the individuals involved.

The main contract, approximately R273 million per annum, was first awarded in July 2007 and was extended in February 2009 for another three years without putting it out on an open tender.

Hlongwa was implicated in an SIU report in 2018 which alleged that he had received kickbacks, luxury trips, and other benefits.