Controversial former Head of Department at the KwaZulu Natal Department Dr Sibongile Zulu appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday. Zulu is linked to the 2013 irregular hiring and resale of mobile clinics.

CHARGES

Zungu (60) with her co-accused Dr Sifiso Mtshali (53) are facing charges of fraud and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. It is alleged that in 2013, the KZN Department of Health awarded a 36-month lease to Mzansi Life-Care for the hiring of a mobile clinic. The contract was further extended without following the supply chain management process.

MOBILE CLINICS SOLD

KZN SAPS spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said three years later in 2016, the department awarded Mzansi Life-Care another contract, this time, for the outright purchase of four mobile clinics to the value of R32 million without following any supply chain management process. The vehicles were registered under Mzansi Life-Care instead of the department. "The roadworthy certificates were not obtained by the department and the vehicles were parked off for three years," he said. Netshiunda further said that it is alleged that the Director of Mzansi Life Care, Nandi Msimang, removed the four mobile clinics and sold them and as a result the department suffered a loss of R32 million."A case of fraud was reported at Pietermaritzburg police station and the case docket was allocated to the Durban-based Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation for an intensive probe. A warrant of arrest has been issued for Nandi and the Hawks are looking for her in connection with this case," he said. Dr Zungu and Mtshali were released on warning and the case was postponed to 4 August 2023.