POLOKWANE – The municipal public accounts commitee (MPAC) that investigated bid 145/2012, a tender for reprographic services, was unable to conclude that mayor Freddy Greaver had interfered with the awarding of the tender.
The R5,3 million tender was awarded last year to Clear Red Trading (Pty) Ltd, which belongs to Tony Plaatjies, who is Greaver’s cousin.
Municipal spokesperson Matshidiso Mothapo said the MPAC, the members of which were appointed by the municipality, was requested by the city council to conduct an investigation regarding the bid on the supply, delivery, lease and maintenance of reprographic services.
The fact that Greaver and Plaatjies were cousins was declared to be immaterial, as in terms of the Declaration of Interest to be completed by bidders, they (bidders) are not required to disclose any relationship to anybody not involved with the evaluation and/or adjudication of the bid.
The investigation revealed, however, that compliance with procurement processes on the appointment of the service provider were flawed.
The rules and regulations pertaining to supply chain management procedures were violated and ignored in the awarding of the bid.
The MPAC recommended to council that the process of appointing Clear Red Trading (Pty) Ltd be finalised with immediate effect.
On the question of whether any steps would be taken against the accounting officer, which in this case would be the municipal manager, Mothapo said: “There is no recommendation to act against the municipal manager”.
