The City of Joburg’s executive mayor has accused organisations, presenting themselves as business forums, of disruptive attempts to secure economic empowerment for their members.
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“These ‘business forums’ target construction and service delivery projects in Johannesburg and demand jobs, using violence and intimidation against appointed contractors to disrupt and shut down construction and/or service delivery sites,” said Clr Herman Mashaba.
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He described these as attempts to secure economic empowerment for their members, and accused the ‘forums’ of aggressive behaviour with the intention of causing disturbances while demanding details of projects.
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He said workers have been harassed, threatened and forced off sites.
“As a result, service delivery has been delayed in parts of the city, stringent time-frames of the contracts have not been met, resulting in penalties and unnecessary delays in addressing service delivery backlogs.
“The city will not tolerate any criminal behaviour by these organisations or anyone who threatens or disrupts the work of those charged to perform work on behalf of the city and our residents.”
To ensure continued service delivery, the CoJ will seek the assistance of law enforcement agencies such as the SAPS and the NPA.
Mashaba said in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (Act 56 of 2003), the city approved a supply chain management policy.
“The policy is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective and complies with the prescribed regulatory framework for the procurement of all goods and services.”
He said supply chain management processes are used, including tenders, quotations, auctions and other types of competitive bidding for goods and services.
“Bid documentation is advertised for the invitation of contracts, whereafter procedures and mechanisms are followed in the opening, registering, recording and evaluation of bids before their approval.
“These measures are to combat fraud, corruption, favouritism, unfair and irregular practices in the city’s supply chain management, and to promote ethics of officials and other role players involved in the supply chain management processes.
“Prior to the approval of any bid, screening processes and the disclosure of interests are attended to, and all tenders are evaluated and approved by committees established by the city. A contract and service level agreement in writing is then entered into between the city and the successful contractor. This process is applicable for the procurement of goods and services throughout the city,” Mashaba said.
He urged business forum members to submit formal tenders or quotations for goods or services advertised and required by the city, saying these would be considered together with any other bids or quotations received.
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