KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has been directed by the Special Tribunal to launch disciplinary action against several departmental officials implicated in the irregular awarding and extension of a R2.5 million contract for chemical toilets at schools.
The ruling forms part of a broader judgment that also declared the contract unlawful, set it aside, and ordered the service provider, Hawulethu (Pty) Ltd, to repay all profits earned from the deal.
Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago welcomed the judgment, saying it represents a major step forward for consequence management in the public sector.
“The SIU welcomes this significant order by the special tribunal, which goes beyond declaring the contract invalid to actively enforcing consequence management at all levels of state administration,” said Kganyago.
“We commend the tribunal for placing this responsibility squarely with the most senior official in the education department, reinforcing accountability where it matters most.”
The judgment follows an SIU investigation into the procurement of 72 chemical toilets for KZN schools in June 2020.
The probe found that the R2 538 000 contract was awarded without a competitive bidding process, violating procurement rules.
Investigators discovered that 16 education officials failed to follow mandatory supply chain processes. Hawulethu was contacted and began supplying goods before being formally appointed, and the company overcharged the department by more than 100%.
The investigation was authorised under Proclamation R23 of 2020, which mandated the SIU to probe COVID-19 procurement irregularities - including PPE and emergency services spending.
Kganyago added that the SIU will continue to pursue maladministration and corruption in state institutions to protect public resources and ensure accountability.
Saturday Star