Former Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa Dies Ahead of Corruption Trial
Johannesburg – Brian Hlongwa, the former Gauteng Health MEC, has died after suffering from an illness, the African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng announced on Wednesday morning. Hlongwa's death comes just months before he was due to stand trial on corruption charges related to his tenure as MEC.
The ANC in Gauteng expressed its condolences in a statement, saying: "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives, comrades, friends and all those whose lives were touched by his unwavering commitment to the ideals of the African National Congress and the struggle a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa."
Hlongwa and his co-accused were scheduled to appear in the Gauteng High Court in April to face allegations of corruption and tender fraud within the Gauteng Health Department between 2006 and 2010, when Hlongwa was at the helm.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the charges stem from irregular payments exceeding R347 million made by the Gauteng Department of Health.
Gauteng NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane stated in February: "The accused are also alleged to have exchanged expensive gifts, such as travel and accommodation, to public officials and funded personal property projects, including renovations and construction on properties."
The trial had been postponed to allow the state to apply for the extradition of Richard John Payne, a co-accused, from the United Kingdom.
Alongside Payne, Hlongwa's co-accused in the case include: Businessman Reatile Kingdom Lolwane, Businessman Maghanderen Niven Pillay, Former director of the executive support programme at the department, Obakeng Stephen Mookeletsi, Former head of department Sybil Nomhle Ngcobo, Former director of supply-chain management at the department Valdis Ntsieni Ramaano and Former head of department Abul Kalam Mohammed Mahmudur Rahman.
In addition to the individuals, seven entities are also facing charges: 3P Consulting, Ukwakwa Design, Midnight Masquerade Properties, Golden Pond Trading, Brisigo Properties, Regiments Healthcare and Ergold Properties.
Beyond the corruption charges, Hlongwa's tenure as Gauteng's Health MEC was also marked by the tragic Life Esidimeni scandal, in which 144 state mental health patients died after being moved to ill-equipped facilities. In 2018, Hlongwa resigned as Health MEC shortly before the ANC's provincial executive committee released a statement supporting calls to bar him from holding public office.
Despite the serious allegations against him, the ANC lauded Hlongwa's contributions to the party and his political career. The statement highlighted his early involvement in activism, noting that he followed in the footsteps of his idols, becoming an activist in 1979/1980.
"Like other young people in Soweto growing up under the crime of the apartheid system, his interest in the freedom struggle was inspired by Steve Biko and a number of political activists and leaders that emerged from Soweto," the ANC statement read. c x
The ANC further noted that Hlongwa belonged to the political generation known as "The Young Lions," a title bestowed upon them in the mid-1980s by the ANC NEC through the ANC president Oliver Reginald Tambo. He was also part of the "security machinery" provided to former president Nelson Mandela after his release from prison, the statement added.
Before his provincial role, Hlongwa was involved in local government. In 1996, he decided to get involved in local government and in 1999 was appointed as the City of Joburg Corporatisation Unit Head that led to the formation of COJ Utilities Company. In 2000, he became an ANC Councillor and was appointed as a member of the mayoral committee in Joburg.
Hlongwa served as the MEC for health between 2006 and 2009. Following his time as MEC, he was appointed as the ANC Chief Whip in Gauteng. His career, marked by both political prominence and serious allegations, has now come to an end with his passing. The legal proceedings related to the corruption charges are now likely to face significant complications, given the death of the primary accused.
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