An internal probe into Technikon Witwatersrand (TWR) has uncovered widespread tender irregularities and mismanagement.
The probe, conducted by accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, was launched in September last year after upheaval on the campus. At the time this appeared to derive from student resentment at the restrictions TWR management placed on students visiting each other in the gender-segregated residences. But the Deloitte report makes it clear that TWR student leaders had raised concerns about management’s handling of tenders relating to student affairs.
Deloitte was asked to probe all student affairs contracts entered into by TWR between August 2002 and August 2003. The accounting firm submitted its report last November. The Mail & Guardian acquired a copy of the report this week.
The probe found that TWR, which is set to merge with Rand Afrikaans University next year to form the University of Johannesburg, flouted tender procedures in the award of all seven contracts.
The contracts range from catering and cleaning to the establishment of a soccer academy on campus.
The report does not give the total value of the contracts, but shows that some of them are worth millions of rands.
TWR management failed to deal with tender irregularities, the report says. Previous audits had picked up weaknesses in the tender processes, but nothing had been done to correct the problems.
The report recommends a complete review of TWR’s procurement policy and procedures ”to address inadequacies against best practices”.
Irregularities include:
A multimillion-rand contract to build a student residence. Included in the contract was a deal to manage the property for more than 10 years. There was no tender put out.
A contract to establish a soccer academy. A local soccer team was awarded a contract to build the academy without tender processes being followed.
Tendering procedures for catering services were flouted in the awarding of two major catering contracts. The contracts are worth more than R50 000 a month.
Cleaning contracts. Two companies were awarded contracts between 2000 and 2001. Their contracts have expired but they are still providing a service to the institution.