DA SUPPORTS CANCELLATION OF GAUTENG HEALTH CONSULTANTS

I fully support Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu's cancellation of the R273 million 3-year contract with 3P Consultants.

This is long overdue and vindicates my criticism that the department was not getting value for money from these consultants, who were in many cases duplicating work done by internal staff.

Mahlangu's cancellation of 3P Consultants raises questions about her predecessor Brian Hlongwa's admitted close relationship with 3P Managing Director Mr Richard Payne who he has described as a "friend". If Hlongwa was still MEC, would this contract have been cancelled?

I suspect that an investigation by the auditor general that I requested will uncover some disturbing aspects about the 3P contract.

3P is contesting the cancellation of their contract in court, claiming R17 million. There must be accountability as to why the department has found itself in this situation. At the very least, there has been some high-level misjudgment.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom, MPL, Democratic Alliance Gauteng corruption spokesperson, August 4 2009

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline newsletter