Page 10 - DPSA_SDR Vol 12 No.2 2019

NEWS IN BRIEF

SIU gets green light to probe Life Esidimeni

President Cyril Ramaphosa has given the employees or by contractors on behalf sation (NGO) facilities. According to
green light for the Special Investigating of the department. The authorisation the Health Ombudsman’s report, all
Unit (SIU) to investigate the affairs of also enables the SIU to investigate 27 NGOs to which the patients were
the Gauteng Department of Health’s irregularities by officials or employees of transferred operated under invalid
Life Healthcare Esidimeni contract and Life Healthcare Esidimeni. licenses and all patients who died at
28 entities in whose care mental health these facilities died under unlawful
users were entrusted. Life Healthcare Esidimeni came under circumstances. The move was facilitated
the spotlight in 2016 as about 140 mental under the Gauteng Mental Health
On 16 January 2019, the Presidency health patients passed away when Marathon Project (GMHMP), which has
said the SIU will probe allegations of they were moved from Life Healthcare since been stopped. n
irregularities in procurement by the Esidimeni to inadequately equipped,
Gauteng Department of Health, its unsanctioned non-governmental organi-

Umgeni Water probe

Meanwhile, the SIU has been authorised allegations of unauthorised, irregular equipment, the distribution of chlorine
to look into the affairs of Umgeni Water, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure and the upgrading of shaft pumps and
a KwaZulu-Natal water utility. Umgeni and loss incurred by the board or the lifts at the Durban Heights Plant.
Water is the second-largest water board state as a result of matters including the
in the country, with an annual turnover provision or upgrading of emergency The SIU will also investigate allegations
of more than R2,4 billion and a five-year boreholes in the uMkhanyakude District of serious irregularities in relation to
capital expenditure budget of more than Municipality. the procurement of goods and/or
R7 billion. The entity has been rocked by services in a manner that was not fair,
allegations of corruption, which includes This is in addition to the repair or competitive, transparent, equitable or
a R220 million security tender that was refurbishment of Nagle Aqueducts; the cost-effective, contrary to the applicable
awarded to a company with political replacement of filter slabs, pipelines legal framework. n
connections. and nozzles in terms of the Contract
Participation Goal Programme of – SAnews.gov.za
The SIU, according to the Presidency, Umgeni; as well as the provision or
has been authorised to investigate upgrading of chlorine distribution

Victory for SA space science

The South African National Space The newly upgraded centre’s monitoring enhanced, with the country now seen
Agency (SANSA) has been selected of the sun and its activity has been as a leading player in the space science
by the International Civil Aviation providing the country with vital early sector.
Organisation (ICAO) to become the warnings and forecasts on space
designated regional provider of space weather conditions, and these benefits “South Africa’s designation as a regional
weather information to the entire aviation will now be extended to the international space weather information provider
sector using African airspace. This aviation community. will grow the science, engineering,
means that every aircraft flying in the technology and innovation sector,
continent’s airspace will rely on SANSA SANSA will partner with one of offering opportunities to develop
for the space weather information as ICAO’s three global space weather scarce skills and increase national
part of its flight plan, the Department of centres, PECASUS, the Pan-European research output, while ensuring that
Science and Technology said. Consortium for Aviation Space Weather usable products are generated from the
User Services, to provide ICAO with knowledge,” the department said.
SANSA, an entity of the department, space weather information for the
underwent an extensive assessment to African region. Space weather, which can influence the
earn the distinction, becoming one of performance and reliability of aviation
two ICAO-designated regional space PECASUS is a consortium of nine and other technological systems, is
weather centres. The other is the joint European countries, and partnering with caused by the sun, the nature of the
Russia-China centre. The department it will provide South Africa with better Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere,
said SANSA’s designation by the ICAO access to international models and and the Earth’s location in the solar
presents an opportunity to further use expertise. system.
the newly revamped space weather
centre at Hermanus in the Western The department said South Africa’s This use of the space science and
Cape. international reputation has also been technology for the good of the nation is

8 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 12 No.2 of 2019