COVID-19 tender fraud: Bonelela Mgudlwa to appeal Special Tribunal ruling

Businessman Bonelela Mgudlwa says he will appeal a ruling by the Special Tribunal, which found that his company, Tark Group, unlawfully benefited from two tenders awarded by the Mpumalanga Health Department.

In a statement, Mgudlwa said he rejects the tribunal’s findings and has instructed his lawyers to lodge an appeal in the High Court.

The contract in questions relates to the supply of 60,000 surgical masks and 150,000 protective jumpsuits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Tark Group is jointly owned by Mgudlwa and Katlego O’Hara Mokonyane, the daughter of African National Congress (ANC) deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) uncovered serious flaws in the two Mpumalanga Health Department tenders, worth a combined value of more than R14 million.

The SIU said procurement laws were violated, bid evaluation committees were bypassed and a supplier without the required licence was appointed.

The Special Tribunal has also ruled against Mpumalanga Health Department officials, confirming that contracts were awarded prematurely, mandatory processes were ignored and non-compliant bids were accepted.

Although the department abided by the application, the SIU said its actions were central to the irregularities.

The unit has welcomed the ruling, calling it a key step in recovering public funds lost during the COVID-19 state of disaster.

Meanwhile, Bonelela Mgudlwa, who is also a lawyer, has denied any wrongdoing, saying he believes justice will prevail.