Tribunal dismisses MTN's exception application over Alleged Irregular Supply

The SIU's findings indicated that Dr. Thokozani Florence Mhlongo, the former Head of the Department, authorized the purchase, which led to wasteful expenditure.

MTN has faced a setback in its legal battle concerning the alleged irregular supply of mobile devices to the Limpopo Department of Health for COVID-19 screening. The Special Tribunal has dismissed MTN's exception application related to the matter.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) launched an investigation into the department's procurement process, which revealed that MTN had made an unsolicited proposal to supply 10,000 cell phones for mass COVID-19 screenings in Limpopo. The proposal, valued at R10 million, was accepted by the department despite not adhering to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) guidelines.

The SIU's findings indicated that Dr. Thokozani Florence Mhlongo, the former Head of the Department, authorized the purchase, which led to wasteful expenditure. Only 388 of the 10,000 phones were distributed between September 2020 and March 2021, and they were delivered without the necessary screening application.

As a result, the SIU has taken civil action in the Special Tribunal to review and potentially annul the contract, aiming to recover the financial losses incurred by the Limpopo Department of Health. The SIU has also successfully obtained an interdiction against Dr. Mhlongo's pension payout following her resignation amidst disciplinary proceedings.

The SIU, empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, will continue to pursue any discovered criminal conduct by referring it to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.