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Frail care centres forensic investigation results must be made public

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Dear MyPE

The results of a forensic investigation into the tender process and pricing discrepancies for the Lorraine- and Algoa frail care contracts in Port Elizabeth must be made public as a matter of urgency. We need to know who was responsible for this debacle.

The DA will never tolerate human rights abuses and an uncaring attitude towards the most vulnerable members of our society.

According to a reply to legislature questions I asked the MEC for Social Development, Nancy Sihlwayi, the investigation was instituted by her department.

The MEC must lift the veil of secrecy. The stench of maladministration hangs over this botched contract. It has caused disruption, heartache, hardship and fear to the 239 families involved.

Why the contract price doubled, from R9 000 per patient per month in 2014 to R18 000 per month in 2016, is the question that this forensic investigation needs to answer. Furthermore, Provincial Treasury must disclose why it failed to inform the Portfolio Committee on Finance and Provincial Expenditure that R26-million was still owing on the contract when we discussed the adjustment budget in November last year. This is particularly so because Provincial Treasury declined the Department of Social Development’s request for assistance.

The DA will continue to fight for the rights of frail care patients. In this regard, the Shadow MEC for Social Development, Kobus Botha and the Shadow MEC for Health, Celeste Barker, are busy with oversight visits to frail care centres throughout the province.

I will be submitting follow-up questions to the MEC in order for the full forensic report to be released and for those involved to be brought to book.

Regards

Bobby Stevenson

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Port Elizabethan

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