Cosatu lashes out at 'tenderpreneurs'

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Thursday lashed out at “tenderpreneurs”, warning that the country would be sent into a “predator state” should the practice not be curbed.

“The stories of the recent weeks beg the question as to whether our stance, that public representatives should not be involved in business because of inherent contradictions of interests, should not be extended to all leaders of political formations,” said Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

He was speaking at a briefing after Cosatu’s first central executive committee meeting of the year.

“We shall campaign to expose the tenderpreneur, who, through political, connections wins tenders unfairly and provides shoddy services to communities while more genuine entrepreneurs are sidelined, as well as their skills and proper services,” he said.

This followed media reports about African National Congress Youth League president Julius Malema’s “lavish lifestyle”, which he allegedly bankrolled through lucrative government tenders.

Vavi declined to name those he felt were responsible for tenderpreneuring, but expressed concern at a City Press report revealing that a company to which Malema was linked—SGL engineering projects—won a tender and then delivered shoddy services.

Vavi also condemned “javelin throwing” by politicians who left government service to profit from opportunities they created while they were public servants.—Sapa