The Congress of South African Trade Unions in Gauteng has noted with concern media reports of a R30 million tender concluded in 24 hours by the Gauteng Department of eGovernment. Our concern arises from the fact that this tender was advertised a day before lockdown and awarded a day after the President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the national lockdown.
From what other service providers have said about the process there are enough reasons to suspect untoward behavior. There is a stench of corruption and an investigation will have to conducted to clear this matter.
Premier David Makhura launched an open tender system a few years ago to ensure transparency in adjudicating and awarding of tenders in Gauteng. It therefore cannot be correct that the Department of eGovernment has been illegally extended the contract of GSOC Security Services, for so long, without appointing a new service provider following correct tender procedures.
The response by In2IT Technologies that they applied for the tender before with the same specification which are alleged to have been flouted by Treasury is disturbing.
COSATU in Gauteng noted the response by MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to initiate an investigation on this deplorable action by her department. We want to warn that this investigation should not be used to conceal the facts and drag the matter indefinitely.
We also warn against the tendency to target lowly officials and using them as a scapegoat for looters of state coffers as it has happened before in our country. It is also deeply worrying that the MEC was not aware of this, whilst it is alleged that permission for deviation was granted by Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.
COSATU welcomes and support the swift action by Premier David Makhura to request the Special Investigating Unit to investigate this alleged deviation. This will go a long way to deal with corruption in Gauteng. We also call the Premier and the MEC to suspend the appointment of In2IT Technologies until they are cleared.
COSATU Provincial Secretary – Louisa Modikwe-082 297 2659
COSATU Chairperson- Amos Monyela – 079 493 5002