Nehawu demands Coghsta HOD’s head amid wildcat strike

THE NATIONAL Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) is calling for the suspension of the head of department (HOD) of the Northern Cape Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta).

A wildcat strike was staged outside the department’s provincial offices in Kimberley on Wednesday, where tyres were set alight and staff were prevented from entering the premises.

Nehawu branch secretary Itumeleng Modise said a security company continued to provide services to the department despite a court order instructing that the contract with Masicebise Business Solutions (Pty) Ltd be terminated in 2022.

Coghsta disqualified Defensor Electronic Security (Pty) Ltd’s R33.6 million bid and instead appointed Masicebise Business Solutions, which had submitted a R32.2 million tender in May 2021.

Defensor lodged an urgent court application in August 2021 to have the three-year security contract awarded to Masicebise declared invalid.

According to the judgment, the appointed company failed to meet the requirements for the bid as it was in arrears with its rates and taxes on its property and its operational manager was not certified with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA). 

According to the judgment, the appointed company failed to meet the bid requirements, as it was in arrears on rates and taxes for its property and its operational manager was not certified with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

It also achieved a lower score, and its financial statements were not signed.

Masicebise Business Solutions, meanwhile, continued rendering services to the department.

The Northern Cape High Court set aside Coghsta’s decision to disqualify Defensor and advised that the tender be re-evaluated.

The State Attorney’s Office and internal legal services advised the department that there was little prospect of success in appealing the ruling.

Defensor abandoned a second urgent court application after Coghsta indicated intentions to end the contract with Masicebise by May 31, 2022.

An urgent interdict sought by Masicebise to prevent the termination of its contract was dismissed in the Northern Cape High Court on the same date.

Coghsta subsequently reconsidered Defensor’s bid and awarded the contract to them, effective from June 1, 2022.

Modise also criticised the decision to purchase the old Trust Bank/Eskom building in town, calling it wasteful expenditure, while the department continued to pay high rentals for office space.

“Plans were abandoned to rent out the building for student accommodation, as it would cost an estimated R1.3 million to renovate,” he said.

He added that, at the same time, community development workers were forced to operate without basic tools of the trade, such as cellphones and laptops.

Modise further highlighted the department’s ongoing poor audit outcomes and the sluggish progress of the R1 billion Presidential Housing Project, alleging that funds were “disappearing” instead of being used to build houses.

Coghsta spokesperson Tebogo Monyo stated that the contract with Masicebise was terminated in 2022, in line with an order issued by the Northern Cape High Court, after a competing bidder launched a dispute. 

He said the old Trust Bank/Eskom building, purchased for just over R16 million, was envisaged to be converted into student accommodation for 256 students.

“A status quo study, structural assessment report and market demand study for student accommodation, in partnership with the Housing Development Agency (HDA), recommended that the building be utilised for student accommodation.” 

Monyo added that the R1 billion housing project and the Roodepan land parcel development had commenced across the province.

“The funds are ring-fenced and will only be used for the purposes of this project. The department regularly meets with contractors to check progress. The progress has been slow but is picking up gradually across the province. A commitment was made by all the appointed contractors to speed up the pace.” 

He added that contractors failing to meet their contractual obligations would have their contracts terminated.

“Although the R1 billion housing project was launched in Roodepan, this area is not part of the project. The development of the Roodepan Land Parcel will address the dilapidated Roodepan Flats, which is a separate project.” 

Monyo said town planning for Portion 31 of Roodepan was at an advanced stage.

He confirmed that the department was committed to equipping staff with tools of the trade.

“We have purchased cellular phones, which will be provided to the identified employees. We have a plan in place to provide other tools of trade based on the availability of funds.

“The department remains committed to the principles of accountability and transparency to ensure good governance.” 

Monyo added that management holds regular meetings with recognised labour unions to discuss staff-related concerns.

“The MEC for Coghsta, Bentley Vass, as part of his open-door policy, met with the staff of Coghsta at the Larry Moleko Louw Building, BP Jones office and the Frances Baard regional office on May 5, to engage with the staff on many of the issues that were raised by Nehawu. The department is committed to continuous engagement.”