THE SA Police Services (SAPS) have confirmed an inquest case has been opened into the death of Nkosinathi Ndlovu, Director of Bulkeng, a company being probed for scoring an R428 million oxygen plant at the National Department of Health (NDoH).
Contrary to some media reports that the police were not aware of Ndlovu’s death, the Sebenza police station’s new station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Mazibuko, confirmed the death of Ndlovu and stated that Ndlovu’s body was found two weeks ago.
The Sunday Independent tracked down Ndlovu’s niece, Zamantungwa Ndlovu, who stated that her uncle was found dead on November 4 at Modderfontein, Johannesburg.
However, she added that Ndlovu was buried last week in KwaZulu-Natal and that the family was considering appointing an acting director of Bulkeng as part of the succession and business continuity plan.
As many questions still linger around Bulkeng, Zamantungwa added that the family would also be confirming their attorneys tomorrow so that they can clarify all the questions about the tender to build oxygen plants in state hospitals.
Giving an account of the details of Ndlovu’s death and without ruling out the suspicions about whether he committed suicide or was murdered, she mentioned that the circumstances surrounding his death were still unclear at this stage.
“The matter is under investigation by the relevant law enforcement agencies. He was found deceased on the morning of Monday, November 4 … the family is also awaiting the findings of the autopsy report,” she said.
Asked about the company's status and whether funds were received for the oxygen tender, she explained that the family was aware that the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant project was awarded to Bulkeng.
However, they were unable to confirm the exact figures, as adjustments were made to the initial bid proposal following the negotiation process.
The sudden death of Ndlovu sent shock waves across the country, sending some media houses tussling in disbelief and making false claims that the police were not aware of Ndlovu’s death and that no mortuary received the deceased body.
The Public Works and Infrastructure spokesperson, James de Villiers, said Minister Dean Macpherson would announce the Bulkeng tender saga.
“The Minister is currently investigating the tender in question and is in discussion with his counterpart in the Department of Health regarding the necessary actions to address the matter,” said de Villiers.
Last month, Macpherson wrote to the Chairperson of the Independent Development Trust (IDT), which is the implementing agent for the oxygen plant roll-out on behalf of the Department of Health – requesting a comprehensive report into how three companies were awarded a multimillion-rand oxygen plant tender following the reports that there were tender irregularities.
Although the response has not been made public, the Sunday Independent reported on a part the paper had seen last.
“In respect of Bulkeng (Pty) Ltd, the contractor submitted a working relationship confirmation letter to Atlas, whom SAPHRA accredits, and Atlas confirmed that Brutes trading as BeaconMedaes is an accredited distributor of their products in South Africa, and the working relationship confirmation letter from Brutes to Bulkeng was submitted with the bid.
“The bid documents containing terms of reference and evaluation criteria for both panel and request for quotation did not require bidders to be registered with SAHPRA. However, there was a requirement that the bidder/s must submit a letter confirming support from PSA original equipment manufacturer (OEM),” read IDT's response.
As the probe by the police was still under process, a source with intimate knowledge of the details told the Sunday Independent that Ndlovu was found dead in his vehicle from a suspected overdose; however, he said that those close to Ndlovu alleged foul play.
“They said it was suicide from the pressures he was facing before his death, but they suspect he was murdered,” said the source.
Soon after his death, Ekurhuleni Ward 15 ANC representative Ayanda Gantsu told the publication that Ndlovu’s ANC ward at Kemptonpark held a memorial service to honour their member.
“We bussed our members in Ekurhuleni to the venue last Sunday because that was his ward, and we paid our respects to him. We had members of the branch and the family in attendance,” said Ganstu.
On details of Ndlovu’s death, he stated that those who had seen Ndlovu were shocked at the news of his death.
“Everyone wants closure; even the family is devastated, and they too want closure because nobody knows what happened,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bulkeng matter has drawn the attention of the Swiss-based Global Fund, a multilateral funder of global health grants in low- and middle-income countries.
The organisation that funded the oxygen plant project said it was investigating the matter.
thabo.makwakwa@inl.co.za