Disciplinary charges follow investigation
The department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) laid internal disciplinary charges against nine of its senior officials on Tuesday.
POLOKWANE – The department of cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs (Coghsta) laid internal disciplinary charges against nine of its senior officials on Tuesday.
According to Coghsta spokesperson, Motupo Seloma, the officials had not been suspended from duty.
Notices of disciplinary hearings to be held were served on the affected officials, who are expected to attend their disciplinary hearings on different dates between November 5 and November 29.
This follows a forensic investigation relating to the awarding of a R900 million tender for the construction of low cost RDP-houses early this year.
Head of the department (HOD), Nnana Manamela, has already been put on precautionary suspension, and her disciplinary hearing started a week ago.
Former Coghsta MEC Clifford Motsepe was replaced earlier this year by Ishmael Kgetjepe. Last year the DA, SACP and Cosatu asked the Hawks to investigate allegations that the tenders were awarded to companies that did not meet the tender requirements, had a history of poor performance, a lack of track records and which failed to supply audited financial statements.
At the time Motsepe vehemently denied the allegations, saying: “There was no wrongdoing in the awarding of contracts. There is no corruption or favouritism in the awarding of contracts. There is no impropriety.”
Around May, the trea-sury department, through a forensic investigation, found that the prescribed process relating to tenders had not been followed. The grant for low-cost housing was also suspended following this outcome. According to Seloma, these tenders were for the financial year 2013/14 and part of forward planning.
The department has since terminated the tender and its contracts due to non-compliance with prescripts that govern procurement in the public service.
A legal opinion received by the department two weeks ago stated that the tenders were not valid as due process was not followed with the awarding thereof, rendering the contracts invalid.
Some companies intend to, and in some cases have already, taken the department to court regarding the termination of the contracts.
Acting Coghsta HOD, Nape Nchabeleng, said at a Coghsta portfolio committee meeting on Tuesday that as a result of the delays, the department lost the grant money meant for these contacts.
Coghsta was meeting with the treasury department and relevant stakeholders today (Thursday) to find out if it could still get grant money for low-cost housing.
A revised business plan was to be submitted to revisit the grant’s awarding to the department. A new bid committee was formed Tuesday, subject to the approval of treasury and the administration team.
Nchabeleng said due to these delays, the department would probably not reach its targets set for this financial year.
