Property company defends bowling-club tender

The Johannesburg Property Company defended its award of the Zoo Lake Bowling Club tender to Kenako Consulting.
The result of the tender bid unleashed a storm of controversy when the current tenants first found out they lost the bid through the receipt of a month’s eviction notice.
Club manager, Chris Moffatt, lost no time in drawing up a petition and instructing the club’s attorney, Stephen Hardie, to send the company a letter demanding answers to questions around the bid, and threatening legal action.
The club also held a “Save the Bowling Club” day to raise money for the club’s legal fund.
Moffat and Hardie claimed that the tender process was riddled with irregularities and was not transparent.
When asked why the tender had not been awarded to the 81-year-old club, company spokesperson Brian Mahlangu said, “The tender process was competitive and allowed all interested parties to participate by submitting bids as per the requirements prescribed in the tender document. The best responsive bid was accepted, and the adjudication committee awarded the tender to the bidder who submitted the best bid.”

According to its website, successful bidders Kenako Consulting, chaired by psychologist and businessman Sathasivan Cooper, specialises in employee health, wellbeing and social plan services.

In reference to the petition to “Save the Bowling Club”, Mahlangu said that the public were mis-informed by the club.
“The Bowling Club will remain as is for members to enjoy, and will enhance the facility with other sport and recreation uses, such as youth development programmes. The club will not close down, and it was never our intention to do so,” he said.
Mahlangu emphasised that the tender process had been fair and transparent.
“If there are doubts about our processes, citizens can lodge their objections through the designated channels,” he added.

Details: 010-219-9000; www.jhbproperty.co.za