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The mayor of the Tshwane metro canceled a “controversial” tender for the R4 billion yellow plant that was aimed at ensuring the continuation of services on the metro.
This after a contract for the rental of vehicles, crucial for the provision of the service, expired in September.
The tender was to have a duration of three years and focused on the corporate rental of construction vehicles in general, yellow plant equipment, garbage collection vehicles, specialized equipment and machines for the municipality.
The bidding process was managed under designated ANC administrators who were dispatched to Tshwane earlier in the year, Tshwane Mayor Randall Williams said.
He added that he had received a detailed probity report from Nexus forensic services that examined the processes related to the administration of the tender.
“The probity report was damning, and I immediately indicated that the tender would be further investigated, while I also delivered the report to the Special Investigation Unit (SIU).”
He said the bidding process that took place under the administrators had clearly been “compromised.”
“The report highlighted several illegal and irregular practices that took place in the supply chain management of this tender for the R4 billion yellow plant.
“As a result of this investigation, the interim municipal administrator canceled this tender (SS03- 2019/2020).”
The report found:
- 71 employees at the service of the state have direct or indirect conflicts of interest in the bidding process of this specific bid,
- 35 bidding entities share management positions that were not disclosed in the bidding documents, which is indicative of collusive bidding,
- 49 bidders are directly or indirectly linked to 68 city employees and employees of three other state entities;
three employees at Tshwane were identified as directors of some of the recommended bidders, none of whom were disclosed, and - Of the 767 companies that were bidding, there were six companies whose company details could not be compared to the company database and the IP commission.
Williams said the subway had already started work to make sure it moved toward re-advertising a new tender and to ensure that all legal processes are followed.
“This situation is not ideal for service delivery as it can cause delays and will require ad hoc arrangements to support the core business of the city,” he said.
“However, we simply cannot allow an illegal bidding process to proceed. I will always strive to ensure that we create value for the residents of Tshwane in everything we do through open, transparent and legal processes. “
Williams said this report would also be turned over to the National Treasury, so that the bidders involved could be held accountable and blocked nationally in the national databases.
This article first appeared on Pretoria Registry and was republished with permission.
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