Jack Bloom has his facts wrong and is misleading the public

The department has noted with concern a statement issued by Mr Jack Bloom of the Democratic Alliance which contains inaccurate and misleading information.

Mr Bloom claims that the department has failed to pay 68% of suppliers within 30 days. This is totally wrong.

In the legislature question that he bases his information on, it clearly states that 68% of companies dealing with the department have been paid within 30 days at the end of September 2013.

Current up to date information indicates that situation has improved and 76% of suppliers are paid within 30 days.

Mr Bloom has either deliberately distorted the information or made a big embarrassing mistake.

To avoid double payments and fraud, the department has instituted a pre-payment audit for all invoices that are dated 31 March 2013 and older.

The department was expecting that Mr Bloom who is very vocal on matters of corruption, would commend it instituting positive measures to minimize fraud and corruption rather than criticize it.

Statement issued by Simon Zwane, Gauteng Department of Health, February 6 2014

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