The Democratic Alliance’s motion to exclude politicians from the bid adjudication process was unopposed and accepted at the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s council meeting on Monday, March 7.
The DA wants the municipality’s bid for an adjudication committee to be open to the public.
According to the DA, the municipality is practically insolvent due to crippling debts, poor financial management and misappropriation of money, as was found in several investigations that were conducted within the municipality.
However, the municipality’s executive mayor, Nhlakanipho Zuma, said although they don’t reject the motion, it will be referred to the mayoral committee for consideration and be scrutinised for legal implications.
DA-councillor Ciska Jordaan said her party welcomes the adoption of their motion that intends to improve transparency and accountability in the municipality as it also allows the public to scrutinise the municipality’s bid adjudication committee.
“Some of the functions of the municipal bid adjudication committee are the consideration of reports from the bid evaluation committee and the final awarding of tenders.
“As per our council standing orders, it will now be considered by the mayoral committee, specifically looking at any possible legal implications before implementation in terms of Municipal Finance Regulations and the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act.
“By being transparent with the business of the bid committee, it grants the public an assurance that municipal tenders are awarded in an ethical manner, free from corruption and maladministration.
“The municipality has been doing its business in the dark for a long time and as the DA, we hope that the mayoral committee will consider our motion with the gravity that it deserves as we will continue to shine the spotlight on the financial affairs of the municipality,” said Cllr Jordaan.
