File image: Siri Hardeland File image: Siri Hardeland
Durban - Gauteng's former chief financial officer who was suspended last year following alleged tender irregularities has been appointed chief financial officer of the KwaZulu-Natal health department.
Dr Sibongile Zungu, the head of the KwaZulu-Natal health department, on Tuesday confirmed that Ndoda Biyela had been appointed CFO for the department.
She said he had been appointed in February.
Biyela replaces Mashaka Enos Ravhura who was dismissed earlier this year for misconduct.
Biyela was suspended as chief financial officer of the Gauteng health department last year August.
The Gauteng health department last year said in a statement: “Mr (Ndoda) Biyela was suspended following allegations of irregularities relating to procurement processes in the department.”
While the Gauteng health department has never stated what came of these allegations or what exactly they were, the Democratic Alliance's spokesman for health in Gauteng, Jack Bloom, said at the time he believed the allegations related to a linen contract reportedly awarded in May 2013 without going to tender.
“Biyela reportedly wrote in an addendum that tender requirements were waived because of the urgency to procure linen for the Jabulani and New Natalspruit hospitals,” Bloom said.
Bloom, however, said: “To resurface in KwaZulu-Natal is absolutely appalling. This is shocking news. He was facing very serious charges.”
He said he would check with the Gauteng health department as to what had come of the investigations against Biyela.
Gauteng health department spokesman Prince Hamnca said Biyela and the department had “parted ways amicably”.
Asked about the allegations levelled against Biyela, Hamnca said: “I can't discuss the contents of the agreement (between the department and Biyela).”
Biyela was acting CFO at the KwaZulu-Natal health department in 2009 and 2010.
Sapa