The Hawk’s Serious Corruption Investigation unit based in Bloemfontein are yet to make a breakthrough in the investigation regarding the suspected unlawful awarding of a tender to upgrade a bulk water reservoir by the Letsemeng Local Municipality. Tender documents have been seized as part of an in-depth investigation.
The Koffiefontein Magistrate’s Court granted an order to search and seize tender documents. The reservoir supplies water to Koffiefontein and the Ditlhake township. The tender worth R40 million was awarded to a Bloemfontein-based company in August last year with excavation work already underway.
Capt. Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, confirmed an investigation into the alleged fraudulent tender deal. He said investigators seized documents on 6 January, having gathered some evidence to correlate with evidence in documents seized at the ANC-governed municipality’s headquarters in Koffiefontein. He said documents seized include bid documents, payment batches, and an acceptance letter of the tender.
Singo said information concerning the alleged unlawful awarding of the tender was received from a whistle-blower. “Preliminary investigations revealed the owner of a prominent company in Bloemfontein submitted fraudulent documents. He was awarded the R40 million tender, regardless. Arrests are imminent,” said Singo.
The DA in Letsemeng has welcomed the investigation regarding the alleged tender fraud. “The DA respects the rule of law and will give the Hawks a fair opportunity to investigate this matter,” said Mariska Potgieter, DA councillor.
Opposition political parties have pressured the Letsemeng council to be transparent and explain the investigation in the best interests of the people. Mounting pressure came after time was apparently not allocated for councilors to debate the matter during a special council meeting held on 26 January.
“The speaker jumped through items on the agenda without even giving councillors a fair opportunity to ask questions. We will be writing to the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements regarding the abuse of power by the Speaker,” said Potgieter.
