/ 24 July 2009

Mpumalanga premier cleans house

Dodgy tenders and the scholar transport system are under the microscope in Mpumalanga, Premier David Mabuza said on Friday.

Mabuza has put together two commissions of inquiry to probe the issues, his office said in a statement.

The first commission would look into alleged procurement irregularities in the construction of the Provincial Archives Building and the construction of the Provincial Disaster Management Centre.

It would be chaired by the regional Mpumalanga court president, who would be assisted by a practising attorney.

The decision to order the probes was taken based on recommendations from preliminary investigations into the matters.

The inquiry into scholar transport would look at the routes, budget and the bus operators.

Once the premier received a report back from the commissions, he would decide on appropriate action which might include disciplinary action against public servants, if any were implicated.

The commission on scholar transport should make ”firm recommendations” to improve the service.

The Democratic Alliance in the province welcomed the commissions. — Sapa