Controversy continues over cleaning contracts
According to a recent reply submitted by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport Petrus Mhlari to questions asked by Clr Bill Rundle, the cleaning contracts awarded for the taxi ranks expired on June 30.
Ongoing issues with cleaning operations at the various taxi ranks in Edenvale have caused constant headaches for residents and ward councillors.
Over the years, the NEWS has covered the financial issues and irregularities surrounding cleaning contracts of the ranks extensively.
Four taxi ranks in Edenvale are affected; the Eden Mall Taxi Rank in the Edenvale CBD, the Eastleigh Commuter Centre in Eastleigh, the Betchana Taxi Rank in Illiondale and the Jabula Taxi Rank based close to the Edenvale Clinic.
According to a recent reply submitted by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport Petrus Mhlari to questions asked by Clr Bill Rundle, the cleaning contracts awarded for the taxi ranks expired on June 30.
The department then requested that the cleaning contracts be extended.
The Eden Mall Taxi Rank, the Eastleigh Commuter Centre and the Betchana Taxi Rank contacts are valued at R12 398.49 per month, while the Jabula Taxi Rank contact is valued at R8 314.88 per month.
The Eden Mall Taxi Rank cleaning contract was awarded to Hlokomelo Three Cleaning Services CC for the period up to June 30.
Although the contract was in place, residents noticed little happening to improve the cleaning of the rank.
In 2013, the NEWS reported that Bongile, employed to keep the rank clean, by the then contractor SSL Trading, received R50 each day.
The contractor was receiving R10 800 from council.
From September to November last year, Clr Hart paid Bongile to clean the Eden Mall Taxi Rank and in December, the Lethabong Taxi Association paid him R300 while Clr Hart paid in the shortfall.
From January this year, Bongile was employed as a Lungile Mtshali worker in order to get paid by council for cleaning the Eden Mall Taxi Rank.
This despite council having awarded the substantial cleaning contracts for the ranks.
The NEWS has again questioned the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) with regards to the lack of cleaning taking place at the ranks.
Among the NEWS’ questions was whether the contract was indeed extended and for which period.
The NEWS also asked whether irregularities with the contracts, reported to council, were ever investigated and what the responsibilities of the appointed contractors were.
Also asked was whether site visits and audits were done to ensure the contractor was, or is, meeting the minimum requirements set out in the tender by council.
The NEWS sent the enquiry to the spokesperson for the EMM, Mr Themba Gadebe, on September 21 for comment by September 25.
At the time of going to print on October 12, no comment was received.
