The awarding of a R360 million SAPS health services tender to Medicare24 Tswane in June 2024 raises significant questions, particularly surrounding the involvement of former SAPS official, Petunia Lenono.
Lenono, who was a member of the bid evaluation committee that recommended the award of the tender to Medicare24, resigned from the SAPS no more than six days after the tender was granted.
In the wake of her resignation, it has come to light that she has since been assigned a Medicare24 e-mail address, despite maintaining that she has not been appointed to any role at the company.
This highly suspicious timing, coupled with Lenono’s direct involvement in the approval of the tender and her subsequent connection to Vusimusi Cat Matlala, whose companies have been previously investigated by the SIU and the Hawks, raises red flags that demand immediate scrutiny.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be posing parliamentary questions to seek clarity on the involvement of Lenono in the tender process, and to establish whether any prior private connections or communications existed between Lenono and Matlala or his companies before the award of the contract.
Furthermore, we will file a PAIA request to obtain the full bid documents in order to conduct a thorough review of the bidding process.
Given the circumstances, the DA calls on SAPS to conduct an urgent and independent audit of this tender, focusing on the role played by both Lenono and Matlala.
If it is found that Lenono had any private communication or involvement with Matlala or his entities prior to the award of the tender, the SAPS must launch a full investigation into the bidding process and take swift action to ensure that no conflicts of interest have compromised the integrity of this tender.
In addition, if any irregularities are found, the SAPS must undertake a complete audit of its bid evaluation procedures to restore public confidence in the procurement process.