Bagale Consulting wins legal battle

THE North West High Court, sitting in Mahikeng, declared the appointment of MIB Infrastructure Development by the former Administrator of the province's Department of Health to act as a consultant for architectural services for the planning, design, and commissioning of the upgrading of General De La Rey District Hospital was unlawful.

- ZELDA VENTER

Acting Deputy Judge President Andre Petersen had set aside the tender and ordered that Bagale Consulting’s appointment is legal and enforceable. This is after Bagale sought a declaratory order that it is in fact the duly appointed consultant in respect of the construction site known as Lichtenburg Hospital, which includes the existing General De La Rey Hospital situated in Lichtenburg.

Court papers revealed that two different service providers - Bagale and MIB Infrastructure - were appointed for the same project, which led to this legal tussle. In opposing the application, the department argued that the construction of a new hospital differs from that of an existing hospital.