The North West Health Department’s head of department who was arrested for his alleged involvement in a R470m fraudulent Brits Hospital deal, and subsequently suspended, was reinstated in his post this week.

Obakeng Eden Mongale (52) was arrested in November 2023 and appeared in court for alleged contravention of section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999. He was released on R50 000 bail and his case was postponed to January 31 for further investigation.

North West Premier Bushy Maape reinstated him this week. “After extensive consultation and obtaining legal advice, Premier Kaobitsa Bushy Maape has determined that there are no valid exceptional legal reasons to extend the special leave of the HOD,” premier spokesperson Sello Tatai said.

“The head of [the] Department of Health, Obakeng Mongale, was placed on special leave following his appearance in court over matters connected to his previous duties as head of the department of Public Works. The special leave granted under such circumstances is prescribed to last for 60 days, and may be extended if there are exceptional circumstances supporting such an extension.”

However, it was decided to reinstate him.

“The office has obtained sufficient information linked to the case of the HOD and can assure the public that there is no risk of interference with the case. Once the team in the Office of the Premier concludes its assessment, the premier will consider any further recommendations regarding the future of the HOD, and inform the public accordingly,” he said.

It is alleged that in 2008, Mongale awarded IIima Projects and Tsoga Developers a tender to the tune of over R470m to construct Brits Hospital. Investigations by Serious Commercial Crime Investigation revealed that the two companies were awarded the tender without meeting requirements.

“In 2010, Ilima Projects was allegedly placed under provisional liquidation, which resulted in the termination of the contract. A new company was appointed to complete the construction of the hospital. The department had spent over R57m when the contract was terminated. The new contractor had to carry out major remedial work amounting to more than R4m, which resulted in the extension of time and cost, which constituted wasteful expenditure,” said Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula.