Premier wants SIU to probe Gauteng’s controversial R30m ICT tender

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has asked the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate the controversial awarding of an information and communications technology (ICT) tender, reportedly without following due process. Premier David Makhura notes with concern the allegations of a tender that was irregularly awarded by the department of e-government. The premier views these allegations in a very serious light. Accordingly, he has requested the Special Investigative Unit to immediately investigate the allegations so that appropriate action can be taken should these allegations be proven to be true,” Makhura’s spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga said.

According to media reports, the R30-million contract was allocated to In2IT Technologies via a tender process that was open for only two business hours. The Gauteng government authorities allegedly used the current coronavirus pandemic to rush through the information technology (IT) contract without following proper tender processes.

Online publication ITWeb reported last week that cumulative irregular expenditure incurred by Gauteng’s e-government department over its cyber security contract now stands at R104 million. On Monday, a displeased Makhura said Gauteng had sufficient checks to pick and deal decisively with corruption.

“Over the years, we have done tremendous work to promote clean governance and ethical leadership in Gauteng. The introduction of the Open Tender System and the Ethics and Anti-corruption Panel is about eliminating corruption,” said Makhura. The provincial government will continue acting decisively on the allegations of corruption.

In other news – This is what to do when you are stopped by a soldier during lockdown

Many South Africans may be intimidated at the prospect of being stopped by a camouflage-clad, rifle-carrying SANDF soldier. This may well be a situation citizens find themselves in during the coming weeks, however, as members of the SANDF have been deployed across the country. There is a big distinction between what these soldiers are allowed to do during wartime, and during the lockdown, though.

MyBroadband spoke to policing law expert at Unisa Professor Rudolph Zinn on what citizens should expect from military officers, and how best to engage them.
Zinn said it is important to understand the mindset of the police and military in current circumstances, and to be mindful of the responsibility that has been given to them. Read more

Source: IOL