Mandeni’s security tender under scrutiny

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has asked public protector, Thuli Madonsela investigate claims of mismanagement at public protector, and three other KZN municipalities.
IFP’s national deputy spokesperson Joshua Mazibuko said they had received disturbing reports about corruption in Mandeni, Umkhanyakude, Ethekwini and Zululand municipalities.
“Our information indicates that in 2009, Mandeni municipality did not renew the contract of Globe Tech Security Company (GTSC) and brought in Enforce Security Company (ESC) which costs four times more,” said Mazibuko.
He said GTSC was paid R60 000 and ESC gets about R260 000 per month despite allegations that ESC did not have the necessary resources to execute its mandate.
ESC is alleged to be the same company which was awarded a contract by Ethekwini municipality.
“The same fate befell GTSC when the National Freedom Party took over Ntambanana municipality. This comes after they won a security services tender in Zululand district municipality twice and on both occasions the mayor, Zanele Magwaza-Msibi overturned the due process and insisted that she wanted ZKZ Security,” said Mazibuko.
Mazibuko  also alleged that Ethekwini did not follow proper processes when they awarded Enforce Guarding a tender which is said to be owned by the co-operative governance MEC’s fiancé.
“We do not know if all our information is true and we do not in any way wish to apportion blame to anyone. But if it is true, it is a serious indictment, not only against the leadership of the cited municipalities, but also the relevant MEC,” said Mazibuko.
Co-operative governance spokesman Lennox Mabaso said their department has dismissed the IFP’s call for probes by the public protector because they were unnecessary.
He said  most of the issues the party was referring to have already been investigated or are being investigated at present. Mabaso said the department had completed their forensic investigation of the allegations in Umkhanyakude, Mandeni and Ethekwini.
Mandeni municipality spokesperson, Mduduzi Manzi said the decisions taken by the municipality involved all parties including the IFP which is part of the executive committee.
“The IFP has had ample opportunity to bring up all their concerns during meetings. The municipality is not prepared to engage itself with such petty politicking merely to drum up sensationalism.”
Attempts to get comment from the public protector’s office were unsuccessful.