JONKERS GETS HEALTH JOB

THE FORMER HOD for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison Steven Jonkers has been appointed at the Department of Health, as an administrator.

The Department of Health was placed under administration in November last year, following R1,7 billion in irregular expenditure that was incurred during the 2015/16 financial year.

Jonkers was acquitted of charges of corruption and contravening the finance regulations in December 2016, where he said that he intended suing the state for defeating the ends of justice and maladministration.

The charges related to alleged kickbacks that were received in exchange for facilitating multi million Rand tenders in 2011, that were granted to Umfana Bus Enterprises, Carsten Coaches, Van Wyk Luxury coaches and Rainbow Bus Enterprises for public transport, for a period of five years.

Jonkers’ contract with the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison was not renewed when it came to an end in 2015.

During his tenure, the controversial deal to fly government employees on the intra-provincial flight services Phakalane Airways was signed.

The flights were were discon- tinued in February 2016, after R31 million was paid to the doomed airline by Provincial government for booked as well as empty seats.

Officials and the general public refused to make use of their services, for fear of their safety and exorbitant prices that were charged for the flights. A contract signed by Jonkers with Wilcovert Investments (Pty) Ltd in 2014 where R34 million from the Road Traffic Management Corporation was deposited into their bank account as well as a R4 million commission.

Expenses from this fund included R20 976 worth of pantyhose, R107 217 for Green Cross shoes, office furniture to the value of R1 million and R198 000 worth of lime green T-shirts.

Parliament had instructed for a forensic investigation to be conducted into the the irregular procurement process when the building was procured while the former Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan had advised that the ten year lease should be cancelled in 2014.

The DA had lodged a complaint of fraud and corruption with the Hawks in 2014 although the party indicated it had not been informed of any progress on the case since.

Spokeswoman for Provincial Treasury Galaletsang Moncho confirmed that Jonkers had been appointed on a 12 month contract with effect from March 6 at the Northern Cape Department of Health.

“He was appointed by the Northern Cape Provincial Treasury to assist the Department of Health with challenges that the department has been facing. His main responsibility is to implement the turnaround strategy, that will ensure effective financial management systems and improved service delivery in the department.”

She added that Jonkers would work with senior officials from the Provincial Treasury, the Office of the Premier and the Department of Health.

“They will constitute a joint financial management team for the implementation of the turnaround strategy.

“The appointment of the administrator was essential as Provincial government needed a competent, skilled and experienced person to assist in the department.

“The administrator and the joint financial management team will work hand in hand with the acting HOD at the Department of Health and submit progress reports to Provincial Treasury.”

Meanwhile former Phokwane municipal manager Moeketsi Dichaba has been appointed as the HOD for the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.

The Provincial Working Committee of the ANC forced him to resign from his post as municipal manager in 2015, following infighting between him and the municipal mayor Vuyisile Khen that rendered the municipality dysfunctional.

Dichaba along with the former director of housing and local government Richard Riddles and the owner of Pizzaro Trading (Pty) Ltd Joseph Segev appeared in the Kimberley magistrate’s court in 2010 on charges fraud, corruption and theft relating to a R30 million construction of 413 houses in Hartswater.

The alleged fraud involved kickbacks estimated at R525 000 for the project which was funded by the Department of Land Affairs and Housing Departments.

Spokeswoman for the Office of the Premier Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams pointed out that Dichaba did not have any criminal record.

“He was never found guilty of a charge of fraud or corruption. He has been charged, subjected to a criminal investigation and found to be not guilty of charges brought against him. On that basis the candidate could not be disqualified.”

She stated that Dichaba had applied for the advertised position and was shortlisted as a candidate.

“He proved to be the best suitable candidate for the position.”