Concourt dismiss Ledla's appeal over special tribunal powers

The company, which was involved in dodgy personal protective equipment tenders during the covid-19 pandemic turned to court after the special tribunal forfeited millions of rands that the company scored unlawfully.

The special tribunal ordered in December 2020 that the contract for PPE awarded to Ledla Structural Development by the Gauteng Health Department was unlawful.

The matter was taken to the tribunal in August by Special Investigative United (SIU) and involved 39 other companies that were contracted to deliver PPE to the department.

Ledla received R38.7 million from the department which was distributed to other companies involved in the tender.

Royal Bhaca Projects owned by Madzikane II Thandisiwe Diko, the husband of President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Khusela Diko has also been linked to the irregular tenders.

Ledla is allegedly a “proxy” for Royal Bhaca, the company owned by Thandisiwe Diko, the husband of former presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko.

The legal team representing Ledla approached the Supreme Court of Appeal to appeal the Special Tribunal's decision, but that application was dismissed.

The company then escalated the matter to the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal.

The apex court dismissed Ledla's appeal with costs, arguing that the special tribunal is not a court.

However, it has the power to adjudicate legality reviews. 

ALSO READ