A Gauteng Department of Health employee, Dr Obakeng Stephen Mookeletsi, and the sole director of Triakon Engineering Pty (Ltd) Jabu Mahlangu appeared before the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court today on charges of fraud, theft and money laundering. They were arrested last Friday following investigations after the proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa authorising the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to look into allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the Gauteng Department of Health during Covid-19.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindile Mjonondwane said that the case relates to an amount of R621 000 that was paid into Mahlangu's company account. "Triakon was appointed through a quote system (RFQ) by the Gauteng Department of Health for the supply and delivery of various Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic. On 20 May 2020, the Chief Financial Officer at the department, sent an email to Triakon informing them that the orders for PPE namely gowns, were cancelled with immediate effect as Triakon failed to deliver gowns of acceptable standards," she said. Mjonondwane further said that the warehouse, 3G Relocations, which was subcontracted by the Gauteng Department of Health to receive and distribute the PPEs to various hospitals in Gauteng, was also informed not to accept further deliveries from Triakon. 

Mjonondwane said that further investigations revealed that Mahlangu and his company had previously claimed more than R9 million but only received payments amounting to more than R4 million. She added that Mookeletsi who works at Leratong Hospital, was arrested on Friday, 17 November 2023 on allegations that he went to 3G Relocations Warehouse on 25 May 2020 to receive PPE stock on behalf of the department. "He has never been responsible for Quality Assurance at Gauteng Department of Health was not authorised to act on their behalf. Upon realising that Triakon delivered PPEs, though being informed not to do so, the Gauteng Department of Health contacted Mahlangu, who told them that it was a donation. The department later received an invoice for the ?donated' PPEs, which was processed and paid to the Triakon company account. "Both accused were released on bail of R10 000 each and will be back in court on 06 February 2024 as the case was postponed for further investigation. The prosecution of the accused is the implementation of SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations," she said.