The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said its investigation into the R27-million Ekurhuleni waste collection vehicle tender is ‘at an advanced stage’.
In 2017, a contract was awarded to a company called Enviro Mobi, and the deal was that the company would provide waste pickers in Ekurhuleni with 200 three-wheeler tuk-tuks, also known as “karikis”, to the value of over R27-m.
These vehicles were meant to benefit cooperatives, SMMEs and community members in the waste sector, to help increase waste recycling, assist in enhancing economic development, eradicating pollution and minimising the amount of waste taken to landfills.
Although the initial procurement deal proved unsuccessful, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reportedly further made another deal with Enviro Mobi to supply Ekurhuleni with 70 tuk-tuks.
The fleet of 70 tuk-tuks was later delivered to the City, but the process to distribute them to the beneficiaries was halted after the SIU was ordered to investigate allegations of corruption related to the multi-million tender processes, involving the contractor (Enviro Mobi), Ekurhuleni metro and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The unit was also assigned to recover any financial losses suffered by the government.
Where criminal conduct is uncovered during investigations, the SIU will bring the matter to the attention of its partners, the National Prosecuting Authority, as well as the Hawks in the SAPS for further action.
“The investigation is at an advanced stage. We are, therefore, unable to respond at the moment,” explained the SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
The SIU said it was investigating to determine whether the procurement and payments made in relation to the three-wheel waste collection vehicles tender were done in a manner that was fair, transparent, or contrary to applicable legislation and guidelines issued by the National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury.
Neglected
In February last year, the tuk-tuks were found in a state of total neglect at the Platkop Landfill site, where they were left at the mercy of thieves and vandals.
However, the municipality told this publication that measures had been taken to protect the remaining property against thieves and vandals.
“The tuk-tuks are safely stored at Platkop where security has been tightened to ensure that there is no tampering with the vehicles. The fleet department has been requested to analyse the vehicles to determine the extent of damages on the vehicles and give a detailed report, which will include the cost of repairing them,” explained metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.
Dlamini pointed out that preceding the SIU investigation and the February visit to the site where the vehicles are stored, an item had already been prioritised and finalised to be approved by the council for the vehicles to be given to their beneficiaries.
“However, while the two processes were taking place, the SIU started an investigation on the process of procurement of the vehicles.
“All processes and activities around the distribution of the vehicles were stopped so that the investigation by the SIU can run without any disturbances.”
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