/ 2 September 2012

High court to review Limpopo feeding scheme tenders

The North Gauteng High Court has been asked to review all 337 contracts for school feeding schemes in Limpopo due to apparent tender irregularities.
The North Gauteng High Court has been asked to review all 337 contracts for school feeding schemes in Limpopo due to apparent tender irregularities.

 

Documents obtained from the Limpopo education department have been filed by the applicants as part of the case, as it apparently reveals irregularities in the tenders awarded to these companies, the Sunday Independent reported. The contracts are worth R700-million.

There are two tenders – one for primary schools and another for secondary schools. Flat Row Development and Trading and Nungo Health Foods told the court certain companies were awarded tenders in districts they did not tender for or operate in.

But bid documents stated that preference would be given to companies located in districts as per specification. Politically connected companies won contracts worth millions, according to the paper.

ANC Youth League official Joseph Buthane's company Exaberated Trading 51 won a R3.3-million contract to feed 4 742 pupils. Buthane denied any irregularities.

ANC Polokwane councillor Jan Alex Moabelo's company Jan Alex Trading would feed 4 717 pupils for an unspecified amount. Moabelo said he did not know how the department's processes worked.

At least 34 companies were awarded contracts in the Vhembe district but were evaluated in Capricorn. They did not appear on Vhembe preliminary score sheets, the weekly reported. – Sapa