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MTN Loses Case in Limpopo Cellphone Probe
MTN Loses Limpopo Case: MTN, a major telecommunications company in South Africa, has lost a Special Tribunal exception application.
This is in connection with the alleged irregular supply of mobile devices for COVID-19 screening to the Limpopo Department of Health.
MTN Loses Limpopo Case
This development comes after the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) launched an investigation into the affairs of the department.
The investigation revealed that MTN made an unsolicited proposal to supply the department with 10,000 cell phone devices intended for COVID-19 mass screenings” in that province.
The SIU said, “This proposal cost the department R10 million. This falls outside the prescripts of the Public Finance Management Act. The Department of Health accepted the proposal and subsequent delivery of the devices.”
According to TechCentral, the SIU’s investigation also revealed that the former head of the department, Dr. Thokozani Florence Mhlongo, as the accounting officer, allegedly exposed the department to a wasteful expenditure.
The investigation showed that she did this when she authorized the procurement and payment of 10,000 cell phones to the value of R10 million for COVID-19 household screening.
SIU To Recover Financial Losses Suffered By Limpopo
The unit adds it has instituted a civil action in the Special Tribunal “to review and set aside the contract and recover financial losses suffered by the Limpopo Department of Health”.
So far, the SIU says it has successfully interdicted the pension payout of Dr. Mhlongo after she resigned from her position as head of the department in the face of disciplinary action.
Also Read: MTN Faces More Problems in Nigeria
The unit says, “The SIU is also empowered to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations related to acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.”
“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence of criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.”
