Question NW958 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
09 June 2020 - NW958
Graham-Maré, Ms SJ to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)(a) What role did she play in the decision-making process around the recent emergency upgrading of the Beitbridge border post fence and (b) who gave the final approval for the procurement to proceed; (2) whether she was given regular updates on the progress of the recent emergency upgrading of the specified fence; if so, what action did she take when red flags started to emerge?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
(1)(a) My role was limited to issuing a directive for the emergency securing of the South African Border to the Director General, Chief Financial Officer and the Deputy Director General: Construction Management. The first focus was on the Beitbridge Border Post and identified hotspots at this borderline between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
(b) The delegated authority for tender approval was the National Bid Adjudication Committee (NBAC).
(2) I received regular updates on the construction until completion. I also requested the Auditor-General of South Africa to do an independent audit and also asked the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure’s Internal Anti-Corruption Unit to do an investigation.