Johannesburg – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a preservation order to freeze about R2 million from the pension fund of Tshegofatso Daniel Moralo, a former Assistant Director with the Mpumalanga Department of Health.
SIU Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, on Monday, said in terms of the Special Tribunal order dated 27 September 2023, Mpumalanga health department and Government Employees Pension Fund are interdicted from paying pension benefits due to Moralo.
The interdict is, pending the finalisation of civil action instituted by the SIU against Silver Falls Scientific Solutions CC, Sifiso Siyafezeka CC, Nkabo \/\later Technologies (Ply) Ltd, Tee Tee 15 Trading (Ply) Ltd, Uhuruwankha Primary Cooperative Ltd, Nkuzi Health Medical (Ply) Ltd, and Hlalu Lindzile Construction CC.
Moralo resigned in the middle of SIU’s initiated disciplinary process to avoid accountability.
“An SIU investigation has revealed that Moralo allegedly had a hand in the irregular awarding of seven contracts amounting to R19 495 102.50 for procurement of goods and services from various service providers during the Covid-19 state of emergency,” Kganyago said.
“The SIU probe in the affairs of the Mpumalanga health department also revealed that Moralo willfully, grossly, and/or negligently failed to ensure compliance by the department with all the prescripts regulating public sector procurement and failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that the Department does not incur irregular expenditure.”
Kganyago said the SIU is pursuing civil action to review and set aside the contracts, and to recover financial losses suffered by the State.
“The freezing of Moralo’s pension benefits is part of the implementation of SIU’s investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses due to corruption or negligence,” explained Kganyago.
“The SIU applauds the Mpumalanga health department for acting on the SIU’s disciplinary referral against Moralo.
“We urge other state institutions to also act on disciplinary referrals.”
Kganyago said in terms of Proclamation R23 of 2020, the SIU was directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice, and payments made by State institutions relating to PPE procurement and the conduct of State employees.
“The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during both investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration,” said Kganyago.
“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.”
