A senior Gauteng transport official has acknowledged that he failed to follow proper procedures in awarding a R5-million tender to a Cabinet minister’s wife.
The Pretoria News on Wednesday quoted provincial transport department head Sibusiso Buthelezi as saying he did not advertise the tender ”because it was a matter of urgency”.
The contract was to help the department with the conversion of taxi permits to operating licences.
The contract was awarded to the company of Nomusa Mufamadi, wife of Provincial and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi. Buthelezi said he was also impressed with Nomusa’s qualifications.
He said Gauteng’s provincial transport minister Ignatius Jacobs was aware of his decision to appoint Mufamadi without following tender procedures.
”I did keep the MEC [member of the executive council] in the loop about the matter, as I do with major decisions that I take.”
Asked for comment, Jacobs’ office said: ”The MEC does not get involved in procurement processes as it would be unethical, and legislation is very clear on these matters.”
The provincial minister ”will investigate if there are any irregularities in his department and appropriate steps will be taken”. – Sapa