GAUTENG legislature member Jack Bloom yesterday opened a criminal case against the former head of the Gauteng roads and transport department, Benedicta Monama.

Monama was suspended last year after she insisted on signing off on an illegal contract worth R3-billion.

She walked away from her job when her contract expired at the end of July.

Monama was reported to have been warned by the provincial treasury as well as finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe and roads and transport MEC Ismail Vadi not to sign the contract.

"I have laid the charge in terms the Public Finance Management Act, which specifies that it is a criminal offence for which you can get five years jail for wilful or gross negligence .

"It is hugely disappointing that the provincial government does not lay similar charges against all officials involved in suspect practices," said Bloom, a DA member.

"There needs to be accountability in this matter. Top officials must fear that gross financial mismanagement can lead to jail, otherwise we will never curb corruption and inefficiency that harms the people of this province.

"I have done this after Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane pointedly refused to lay charges even though Monama was suspended."

Monama signed off the contract with Westpoint Trading 123 to operate driver licence testing centres. It was to create a turnaround strategy for testing stations after the centralised licence booking system collapsed under their leadership.

Department spokeswoman Octavia Mamabolo said: "The department believes that it is within the right of any citizen, including Mr Bloom, to report any matter that is allegedly and potentially injurious to the public interest."