POLOKWANE – The tender box was set alight on the last day of submission of tenders for a R870 million food scheme tender, a contract set to supply food to at least 3 000 schools and over a million learners.
According to Citizen, fingers are being pointed at disgruntled ANC members in Limpopo province, where the tender was to be adjudicated. ANC members, who are also businessmen, were allegedly responsible for the bombing the tender box.
Bidders were vying for the opportunity to supply food to poor rural schools in the province.
However, it seems prospective suppliers – aligned to the ANC and EFF parties – were aggrieved by the exorbitant surety fee.
A former ANC Youth League leader in the province said he suspected that disgruntled businessmen torched the tender box to protest against the R300 000 surety demanded by the government.
Businessman Charles Rampora, who was among the last people to deposit his tender application, denied any involvement.
“I was never the last person. There were people still submitting,” said Rampora.
“I know people blow up ATMs to get money, but now people bomb tender boxes to get documents. It was an unforeseen incident,” Rampora said.
ANC provincial spokesperson Khumbudzo Ntshavheni declined to comment.
According to the acting head of the hawks, Major General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, the investigation has been handed over the to the Hawks’ Elite Unit which deals with crimes against the state.
“We view this matter in a serious light and we will exhaust all avenues in our quest to bring perpetrators to book,” says Ntlemeza
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stop anonymously on 086001011 or SMS 32211.
via Citizen
For more breaking news visit our websites www.capricornreview.co.za or www.reviewonline.co.za
Follow us on twitter or Facebook
