Question NW1857 to the Mr M Tshwaku (EFF)asked the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
30 October 2020 - NW1857
Tshwaku, Mr M to ask the Mr M Tshwaku (EFF)asked the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
What are the reasons that a certain company (name furnished) has been awarded the contract to manage the funeral of Mr A M Mlangeni while it is under investigation by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts for inflating invoices during the funerals of the former President, Mr N R Mandela and Mrs W N Madikizela-Mandela?
Reply:
The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure:
I was informed by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) that at the time of awarding the bid, the specified company was not restricted from doing business with Government. It was part of six (6) companies that submitted quotations forthe service.
This company could not have been excluded by the Department without following due process for restriction. This could be construed to be anunfair process which may also be irregular on the basis of passing over the highest scoringNational Treasury SCM Instruction Note 3 of 2016/17.
The due process for restriction isoutlined in the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2017 and National Treasury SCMInstruction Note 3 of 2016/17. The Department has issued an internal Circular No 40 of2019 to establish a Restriction Committee and provide Standard Operating Procedures togive effect to the above-mentioned Prescripts.
The matter of restricting Crocia Events has subsequently served at the duly constitutedRestriction Committee and Crocia has been given 14 days to provide reasons why theDepartment must not recommend their restriction to the National Treasury.