Dr. Tshegofatso Gopane, a medical practitioner and CEO of Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solutions, has dismissed claims of improper conduct regarding her company’s contract with the Northern Cape Department of Education. The contract pertained to COVID-19 readiness training provided during the pandemic.

Gopane, 44, and her company were arrested by the Northern Cape Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation unit. The arrest also included Gobonamang Doris Sibiya, 59, Chief Director at the Department of Education’s Curriculum Management Unit.

The trio faces serious allegations of corruption, fraud, and money laundering in connection with a controversial R6.5 million tender awarded during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Nomthandazo Mnisi, said that in May 2020, the department of education engaged Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solution to provide Covid-19 orientation and ongoing support for a total of 554 schools across Kimberley, including both the Head Office and five District Offices.

According to Mnisi, investigations revealed that Sibiya endorsed a motivation for Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solution to receive the contract under the single service provider method, as stipulated by the department’s Supply Chain Management Policy. However, the company allegedly failed to meet the specific requirements necessary for such a designation.

Furthermore, Mnisi added that evidence presented indicated that Sibiya allegedly accepted an unauthorised payment of R10,000 from Gopane, a transaction that was not declared, exacerbating the gravity of the situation.

However, in a statement, Gopane described the claim as factually inaccurate and completely baseless.

“This allegation is not only false, but profoundly offensive,” she said.

“It completely ignores the facts and distorts the timelines, and I believe it is highly irresponsible. I have spent more than 20 years building my career on honesty, service, and compassion, and I will not allow baseless claims to undermine that.

”Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solutions had worked with the Department since 2014, including having held an active contract at the time for HIV and life-skills training. Furthermore, when the pandemic struck, the company quickly began running COVID-19 workplace readiness training for the private sector,” she added.

Gopane said Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solutions, with its proven expertise in COVID-19 training, secured a contract with the Department of Education in May 2020.  She added that the agreement enabled the urgent training of schools and officials on COVID-19 safety protocols, building on the company’s existing relationship with the department.

“We submitted a proposal, the department made the decision, and we delivered the work to a high standard. By August 2020, the bulk of the training had been completed, and, to our knowledge, the department was extremely satisfied with our team’s delivery and performance. We were proud to step up to the challenge when our country needed it most, and hundreds of schools were safer because of our work.”

Explaining the R10,000 payment, Gopane said the money was made towards funeral arrangements for Sibiya’s sister who died in October 2020.

“Critics have alleged that the payment was linked to the COVID-19 training contract – a narrative which quickly collapses under closer scrutiny. The facts are clear and undeniable. The contract was awarded in May 2020. The work was completed by August 2020. The bereavement and the donation happened in October 2020. We provided the death certificate to the Special Investigating Unit in 2023 to evidence this fact and there have been no questions since then until now.

“My contribution came from my personal account, not from the company, and it was made as a gesture of respect for someone I had known for many years through our work with the department, to assist in a time of grief.

“Suggesting a link to procurement is not only inaccurate in terms of the timeline of events, but also completely disregards widely accepted cultural norms in Africa, where offering financial support to colleagues during bereavement is customary.”

She added that the accusation of undue influence ignores her long-standing record with the Department.

“My personal and professional integrity have never been in question. My life’s work has always been about helping people live healthier lives and building stronger communities.

“Tshela Bophelo Wellness Solutions’ work during the pandemic helped save lives, and that is the legacy I stand by. I remain proud of what we achieved, and I will continue to serve communities and this country with the same values of honesty and service that have guided,” she concluded.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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