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