MPUMALANGA Premier David Mabuza has suspended the head of the province's health department for allegedly awarding a multi-million rand contract to acompany linked to the ANC Youth League.
Sources in the health department say Mabuza was angry because Johnson Mahlangu awarded a R120-million tender to Isibonelo Waste Solutions.
The company was awarded the contract for the removal and treatment of medical waste in the province.
Sowetan understands that the move angered Mabuza "because he does not get along with ANC Youth League members".
Isibonelo is co-owned by Christos Eleftheriades, a business partner of ANCYL president, Julius Malema.
Though Malema is not part of the Mpumalanga consortium, he is a partner of Eleftheriades in a similar project in Limpopo. The Limpopo company trades as Tshumisano and won a R20-million contract to remove and manage medical waste on behalf of the provincial health department.
Earlier this year Eleftheriades told Sowetan that the Tshumisano consortium paid Blue Nightingale - a Malema company - a monthly dividend of R136000. He later claimed that he did not know that the company belonged to Malema when he paid the money into its account.
According to the Mpumalanga contract Isibonelo is to be paid R3,2-million a month for three years. Sources say Mabuza had ordered Mahlangu not to give the contract to Isibonelo. Mahlangu defied Mabuza.
"The premier had given Mahlangu a preferred company to be awarded the tender but he refused to play along," an insider said.
Health department spokesman, Dumisani Mlangeni confirmed that Mahlangu had been suspended but said he did not have details.
Mahlangu refused to comment when contacted for comment. He would only say: "I need time to digest this, please." Mabuza did not respond to voicemail and SMSes left on his phone.
MEC axed over deal for Juju's friend
MPUMALANGA Premier David Mabuza has suspended the head of the province's health department for allegedly awarding a multi-million rand contract to acompany linked to the ANC Youth League.
Sources in the health department say Mabuza was angry because Johnson Mahlangu awarded a R120-million tender to Isibonelo Waste Solutions.
The company was awarded the contract for the removal and treatment of medical waste in the province.
Sowetan understands that the move angered Mabuza "because he does not get along with ANC Youth League members".
Isibonelo is co-owned by Christos Eleftheriades, a business partner of ANCYL president, Julius Malema.
Though Malema is not part of the Mpumalanga consortium, he is a partner of Eleftheriades in a similar project in Limpopo. The Limpopo company trades as Tshumisano and won a R20-million contract to remove and manage medical waste on behalf of the provincial health department.
Earlier this year Eleftheriades told Sowetan that the Tshumisano consortium paid Blue Nightingale - a Malema company - a monthly dividend of R136000. He later claimed that he did not know that the company belonged to Malema when he paid the money into its account.
According to the Mpumalanga contract Isibonelo is to be paid R3,2-million a month for three years. Sources say Mabuza had ordered Mahlangu not to give the contract to Isibonelo. Mahlangu defied Mabuza.
"The premier had given Mahlangu a preferred company to be awarded the tender but he refused to play along," an insider said.
Health department spokesman, Dumisani Mlangeni confirmed that Mahlangu had been suspended but said he did not have details.
Mahlangu refused to comment when contacted for comment. He would only say: "I need time to digest this, please." Mabuza did not respond to voicemail and SMSes left on his phone.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos