Security upgrade bills in spotlight

Former Esidimeni MEC exceeded R200 000 limit

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 10 2017

FORMER Gauteng Health Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Qedani Mahlangu, who was at the centre of the Esidimeni tragic and chaotic transfers of thousands of psychiatric patients that left 141 dead, owes more than R50 000 for security upgrades to her Bedfordview house.

Gauteng DA Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) Jack Bloom said: “Security upgrades to the private home of former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu have cost the state a total of R356 558, and she has not yet paid R52 558 for exceeding the R200 000 limit.”

Bloom, who shadows the provincial health department, said the anomaly was revealed by Premier David Makhura in a written reply to his questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

Makhura reportedly said R104 000 was spent on security upgrades at Mahlangu’s private residence from 2009 to 2014, and a further R252 558 thereafter.

Bloom said the MECs and former MECs whose security upgrades exceeded the R200 000 limit have been notified in writing by the premier about how much they have to repay within a specified time frame.

Those notified in writing to pay the excess costs of security upgrades to their houses include Mahlangu, Molebatsi Bopape and Nandi Mayathula-Khoza.

“Some of them have queried the amounts and this is being verified by auditors,” said Bloom, adding it was “unclear why Mahlangu had the highest security spend on her house in Bedfordview despite a large amount spent for this purpose during her previous term of office”. – ANA