Party demands probe into tender debacle
Charges were made against the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT), members of the tender-awarding committee and some of the companies that were granted them
PILGRIM’S REST – The Vryheidsfront Plus will not rest until the debacle about the town’s shop-lease tender has been criminally investigated.
A criminal charge was laid by Adv Anton Alberts of the party in Pretoria. Charges were made against the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT), members of the tender-awarding committee and some of the companies that were granted them.
Earlier this year the DPWRT accepted the findings of the Public Protector (PP), Adv Thuli Madonsela in her report of December 2013, stating that it would cancel the 17 leases awarded and commence with a new tender process. According to Alberts, they would request that the charges be investigated by the Hawks. Alberts lodged the complaint against the department on July 6, 2012 with the PP. This came after the owners of 17 shops were served with eviction notices of 30 days on June 29 last year.
He said it was especially bidders such as Mangwanyane Trading, granted the lease of the Highwayman’s Garage, that needed to be criminally investigated. The tender documents showed Mangwanyane’s bid of R10 416 per month.
The bid-evaluation committee recommended it based on an indicated R19 100 per month. The appointment letter signed by the HOD, once again, stated a bid amount of R10 416 per month, lower than that of four others.
“If one looks at this from a legal viewpoint, it seems that tender documents had been tampered with,” said Alberts.
