NO HASTE TO INVESTIGATE R71M GAUTENG SECURITY CONTRACT
Three and a half years after the Public Protector recommended that the Gauteng Premier investigate alleged improper conduct in the award of a R71 million security contract without tender to a company part-owned by former Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda, this has still not been finalised.
This was revealed yesterday in the Gauteng Legislature by Premier Nomvula Mokonyane in an oral reply to my questions on this matter.
The Public Protector released her report on this matter on 6 August 2010, making recommendations that were to be monitored over a period of six months.
Mokonyane said that President Jacob Zuma had referred the Public Protector's report to her "a while ago" and she was "quite satisfied" with the pace of the investigation.
This is shockingly slow and shows how little respect is given to implementing the Public Protector's recommendations.
The background is that Abalozi Security (formerly GNS Risk Advisory Services) was awarded a contract by the Gauteng Public Transport, Roads and Works Department in October 2007 without going to tender.
It was cancelled on 16 March 2010 by former MEC Bheki Nkosi after a legal review found that prescribed procurement processes were not followed and that other companies could do the service at a much lower rate.
According to Nkosi "the value of the contract ... was not determined in advance and fixed for the period in which the services were rendered". Furthermore, "the Department has not instituted disciplinary actions or corrective action against the person who did not follow the procurement process in appointing GNS."
This company was part-owned by Nyanda, whose family according to reports still benefited from a trust that holds a 45% share.
To date, not a single person has been disciplined or held accountable for a vast waste of public money.
It shows yet again the ANC's lack of political will to fight maladministration and possible corruption.
Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, March 27 2014
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