Probe into R81m BRT contracts
The Hawks and the public protector have been asked to investigate contracts awarded to BRT consultants in Polokwane.
|||Johannesburg - The Forum of Limpopo Entrepreneurs has asked the Hawks and the public protector to look into alleged irregularities in the awarding of about R81 million in contracts to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) consultants in Polokwane and steps taken by mayor Thembi Nkadimeng since these came to light.
The forum approached the Hawks and the Office of the Public Protector after the National Treasury found a number of alleged irregularities in the appointments.
Hawks spokesman Hangwane Mulaudzi said forum chairman Tshiviko Mabunda had asked for an investigation.
“We will assess the matter and if we find concrete evidence a case will be opened,” Mulaudzi said.
Stanley Minga, the public protector’s acting representative in Polokwane, said the forum had asked the public protector to intervene.
“The public protector will investigate the matter,” Minga said.
Three senior municipal officials, chief financial officer, Fikile Mudau, director of corporate and shared services California Phanyane, and director of transport services Molatelo Rapetsoa, have been suspended on allegations of appointing service providers without properly following supply chain management processes.
Mabunda expressed his dissatisfaction after Nkadimeng refused to cancel the contracts, awarded in 2013. Nkadimeng said doing so would “hamper services delivery” because the consultants had completed 70 percent of their mandate.
Mabunda wrote to Premier Stan Mathabatha, Human Settlements MEC Makoma Makhurupetje and ANC provincial secretary Nocks Seabi asking that Nkadimeng be compelled to explain why she had suspended the officials.
Nkadimeng said that as members of the bid adjudication committee, the trio had acted in a manner that undermined the committee and the municipality’s system of supply chain management.
A fuming Mabunda said: “We are deeply shocked and embarrassed by the mayor’s statements because corruption cannot be condoned at the expense of service delivery. The forum says service delivery cannot be put in the same bucket with corruption and maladministration.
“Why did the mayor single out the three senior officials who allegedly awarded contracts in a corrupt and fraudulent manner, but allow those consultants to continue with their job? We want the mayor to stop the contracts because those companies of the consultants are benefiting illegally.”
The forum said it would consult the companies that failed to secure BRT consultants contracts.
Mabunda said the forum would report the matter to the public protector and Hawks. Nkadimeng had seven days to respond or face the music, he said.
Nkadimeng said: “I’m aware of the matter raised by (the forum). However, the cancellation of consultants’ contracts will hamper service delivery. The consultants have finished 70 percent of their work. We will, however, take up the matter raised by the forum.”
The premier’s spokesman, Kenny Mathivha, confirmed the forum’s letters had been received. “We are going to investigate.”
Seabi also said the letter had been received.
“We will look into the matter.”
The Sunday Independent