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The Northern Cape Department of Health must account for its continued findings in relation to irregular expenditure incurred as a result of security contracts.

The National Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaalha, has revealed that the outsourcing of security services by the Northern Cape Health Department has resulted in a R427 million irregular expenditure due to month-to-month contracts.

The Democratic Alliance has repeatedly questioned the departments' use of security firms, particularly at the mental health facility, where there is a severe shortage of much needed security personnel.

While the Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, long ago indicated the province’s intention to insource security and cleaning services, this is being done in a phased-in approach, across different departments, over several years. It is therefore questionable that the department has continued with month-to-month contracts, knowing that they will require security services for the foreseeable future.

In addition to the above, it is public knowledge that the former Northern Cape Health HOD Steven Jonkers is amongst officials involved in a court case relating to a tender amounting to over R300 million, for the rendering of security services back in 2017.

Security controversies therefore plague this department.

While the department committed to developing an implementation plan for the renewal of security contracts in May this year, the legislature portfolio committee has yet to be presented with progress in this regard.

I have submitted parliamentary questions to establish how far the department is in rationalizing its security contracts and whether they have taken action to prevent any further incurrence of irregular expenditure.

Issued by Dr Isak Fritz, MPL - DA Spokesperson of Health