City investigates R3,7million tender awarded to Zuma’s cousin

eTHEKWINI City Manager, Sbu Sithole has given written confirmation to the DA in council that it will launch a investigation into a R3,7-million tender involving President Jacob Zuma’s cousin, Deebo Mzobe.

According to DA eThekwini caucus leader, Zwakele Mncwango, it is believed the city called for bids to organise a concert ahead of the BRICS summit held in July this year. The bids were called for a week before the festival and according to Mncwango, three companies are alleged to have submitted proposals.

“Media reports alleged that at the 11th hour, Mzobe’s company Solesa Productions made an appearance at a meeting at the city hall and weasled its way into the job as project managers. The municipality requested that all four companies work together and a “profit share” agreement was signed between the businesses and eThekwini,” he said.

However, It has since emerged that the municipality paid Solesa R3, 7 million but the latter failed to channel any payments to the other three companies.

The DA asked Sithole to clarify why the tender to host the festival was issued only one week before it was due to start; why Solesa Productions were allowed to enter into the fray at such short notice to project manager the festival; why the money was paid directly to Solesa Productions and not split amongst the other companies; and what was being done to ensure Solesa Productions honoured the memorandum of understanding between the companies involved and the municipality.

“The DA believes that shady dealings such as this one should not go unchallenged. It is for this very reason that Sithole must get to the bottom of the circumstances surrounding this matter and report back to the Executive Committee at the earliest possible opportunity. Anything short of this will be seen as an attempt to protect a Zuma relative and ANC crony,” he said.