Unsuccessful bidder disputes wastewater plant tender

A COMPETITIVE bidder who lost out on an opportunity to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in Barkly West has requested the Hawks to investigate how the R3 million tender was allegedly awarded in a fraudulent manner.

Moremi Empire Enterprises/Isi Phanda General Trading joint venture partner Mothusi Bogoto requested Dikgatlong Local Municipality to provide them with all the bid committee minutes.

“We have a reasonable suspicion that the service provider was appointed without due tender procedures being followed. We officially launched a dispute against this appointment.”

He added that eight companies attended the compulsory site briefing and the appointed company was not present

“The municipality adopted a defensive stance and has shown no willingness to co-operate in assisting us in understanding why this company was awarded the tender. In our view, it did not possess the requirements for such an appointment.

“It is also disturbing that this company has commenced work on site while a dispute was lodged against their appointment.

“We are well-informed that the site establishment was paid without any site being erected. During a site visit, we did not find any company foreman or company site agent. General labourers were hired by high-ranking municipal officials, which hints that the company is in cahoots with officials.”

Threats were also allegedly made to prevent the appointed contractor from proceeding with work on site.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Tebogo Thebe confirmed that their office of serious corruption investigation had received a complaint relating to the tender.

“The matter is currently being processed internally.”

Dikgatlong municipal manager Bakie Tsinyane stated that all supply chain management procedures were followed for the refurbishment of the wastewater works in Barkly West.

According to a document provided to the DFA the contractor had attended the site meeting and signed the attendance register.

“The appointed company attended the briefing session on May 8 and signed the attendance register. The site establishment was done and the municipality has not made any advance payments to the appointed company,” said Tsinyane.

She indicated that the municipality responded to Moremi Empire/Isi Phanda joint venture’s requests as to why the company was unresponsive to the SCM regulations.

“The municipality is satisfied that all procedures were followed. The successful contractor submitted all the required documents and tax compliance was verified prior to their appointment.”

Tsinyane added that transparent and fair recruitment processes were followed for the hiring of labourers.

“The municipality has not received any complaints in this regard.The municipality has met with the Dikgatlong Consortium and has not discussed the tender at that meeting. The Dikgatlong Consortium initiated the meeting, which they termed to be an introductory meeting. They indicated that the municipality should be aware of their existence as local business people.”

She stated that the scope of the project included replacing damaged and missing channel gates, removing blockages, replacing damaged equipment, motors and gearboxes, installation of new sludge pumps and reinstating lifting pumps.

“Repairs will be made to the mechanical component to the rotating bridge as well as restoring of the flow measurement equipment and chlorination of the plant.”