MEC denies interfering with tender process
The process is once again marred by controversy.
Aggrieved service providers accuse the education department of rigging the new tender process to unfairly exclude bidders in favour of politically connected individuals.
WATCH: Govt of Provincial Unity | Changes to KZN tender processes
MEC Sipho Hlomuka denies there was political interference with the procurement process.
The Service Providers Association wants the new tender process investigated and set aside. eNCA's Zanele Buthelezi has more.
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The South African
12 minutes ago
- The South African
Ramaphosa urges swift action on political killing interference probe
President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the political killings in the country and called for the Commission of Inquiry into police corruption to act swiftly. Speaking to the media during a meeting with the Northern Cape Provincial Executive, he said the KwaZulu-Natal Task Team has done 'tremendous work.' His comments follow the recent killing of African National Congress (ANC) member and Chief Whip of the Emalahleni Local Municipality, Xoliseka Lali, who was gunned down in the Eastern Cape. The motive behind the murder remains unclear, and police investigations are ongoing. Ramaphosa said he expects the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, tasked with probing political interference, criminality, and corruption in the country's criminal justice system, to conclude its work without delay. The Presidency also retweeted a video in which Ramaphosa expressed his determination to get to the bottom of explosive allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The Commission has three months to deliver its initial report. 'This is a commission that everyone in the country would like to see quick answers coming from,' said Ramaphosa. Political killings have come under increased scrutiny following Mkhwanazi's claims that criminal syndicates have infiltrated South Africa's law enforcement structures. In a media briefing earlier this month, Mkhwanazi alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu interfered with police investigations and colluded in the disbanding of the KwaZulu-Natal Political Killings Task Team. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Corruption allegations threaten the ANC's renewal campaign in KZN
Under fire education MEC Sipho Hlomuka Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The African National Congress (ANC) in KZN faces a potentially catastrophic blow to its image and ongoing renewal campaign, as fresh allegations of corruption against key leaders surface. Siphamandla Zondi, a prominent political analyst, offered a stark assessment, asserting that the continuing association of the party with corruption diminishes its prospects for recovery following the dismal performance in the 2024 elections. Zondi's comments emerged in the wake of serious accusations against KwaZulu-Natal MEC of education, Sipho Hlomuka, and Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi. Both leaders are now at the centre of investigations that could significantly tarnish the party's reputation and deepen public distrust. 'The responses to these allegations can either make them stick in the court of public opinion or diminish them. 'But this is damaging indeed," Zondi remarked. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ He underscored the urgency for the ANC to dissociate itself from any acts of corruption and to ensure accountability amongst its leaders, especially given that the party's own renewal programme mandates such actions. Zondi insisted that the ANC should promptly initiate an internal investigation into the allegations and refer the two MECs to its integrity commission. 'It is in the interest of the two MECs to have their names cleared, and it is in the ANC's interest to clear its own name quickly,' he stated, emphasising the critical importance of a swift response to uphold the credibility of the government. Political turbulence surrounded Hlomuka and Simelane, after claims surfaced that their personal business affiliations may have improperly influenced government contract awards. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Hlomuka contended that he had distanced himself from the implicated company, insisting he was no longer part of it and was unaware of its ongoing activities. 'If it has received any tenders, that information will come out in the investigation,' he added, urging patience for the forthcoming revelations. Provincial Premier Thami Ntuli has demanded thorough explanations from both MECs following the serious corruption allegations. Asserting the need for transparency, Ntuli confirmed that he had proactively reached out to both executives for clarification as soon as he became aware of the claims. 'I would be writing to them so that they give me full information regarding the allegations,' he noted, awaiting their responses by today. Hlomuka's spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirmed that the premier had written to the MEC requesting him to give explanation on the allegations regarding school nutrition. Mahlambi alluded that the MEC has also responded to the letter. 'The MEC (Hlomuka) has responded to the letter from the Premier, however, we must give both the MEC and Premier space to process the responses as per premier's request. "What we also need to indicate is that the current tender or contract that is in place now is not disturbed,' said Mhlambi. Further complicating matters for the ANC, Health MEC Simelane faces scrutiny over her family's potential improper gain from government contracts. The implications of her alleged business ties could further erode public confidence in the party's commitment to ethical governance. Zondi reiterated the need for the party to reconcile these allegations with its core promise of ethical governance, which he stated was crucial for any hopes of renewal. 'Defending its own is to assume their innocence without verification,' he cautioned. 'It has caused the party many problems in the past.' With mounting pressure from within and outside the party, the ANC's response to the allegations against Hlomuka and Simelane will be pivotal in shaping its future. Simelane-Mngadi rubbished the allegations against her, threatening to take legal action against people who have implicated her in the Ithala corruption loan scandal. It was alleged that the MEC used her position of power as the chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio committee some years ago to get funding for a family company in Ithala and in government. The allegations surfaced on social media platforms a week ago. However, in statements she issued last week, she reiterated that the allegations were false and malicious, saying she was exploring the legal route. 'I'm exploring legal action to protect my name and my integrity and take to task those who deliberately and nefariously wish to impugn my good name. In our system of government, the separation of powers is clear, MPLs, including committee chairpersons, have no role in Supply Chain Management or operational decisions of departments. Therefore, I could not have influenced any procurement processes."These facts are easily verifiable, and their deliberate distortion shows that this is not an attempt to inform the public, but rather a well-calculated political smear campaign,' concluded Simelane-Mngadi. ANC in the province fail to comment by the time of publication. DAILY NEWS
TimesLIVE
5 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Auditor-general demands action from KZN Cogta MEC in troubled uMkhanyakude municipality
Auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke has instructed KwaZulu-Natal Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi to intervene in the trouble-torn uMkhanyakude district municipality. Buthelezi, an IFP deployee in the provincial legislature, and ANC-led uMkhanyakude officials are at loggerheads over the provincial cabinet's decision to place the council under administration. uMkhanyakude officials are resisting the decision, saying it is politically motivated. They have since taken Buthelezi to court over the matter. Earlier this month, Buthelezi was forced to announce that the municipality had been placed under administration at the entrance of the council offices after he was denied entry. On Sunday, Buthelezi said he had received formal correspondence from Maluleke instructing him to intervene in uMkhanyakude. 'The auditor-general has requested that I intervene in the uMkhanyakude district municipality due to the municipality's consistent failure to address material findings. These findings stem from the municipality's inability to implement a credit and debt collection policy, as required by section 62(1)(f) (ii) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA),' said Buthelezi. A material irregularity is defined in the Public Audit Act (PAA), as 'any noncompliance with, or contravention of, legislation, fraud, theft or a breach of a fiduciary duty identified during an audit performed under this act that resulted in or is likely to result in a material financial loss, the misuse or loss of a material public resource or substantial harm to a public sector institution or the public'. In the correspondence, Maluleke highlighted that 'The failure of the municipality to implement the municipality's credit and debt collection policy for a number of years and to take reasonable steps to recover outstanding debt from consumers is likely to result in a material financial loss for the municipality'. The AG further stated that: 'The failure of the accounting officer to take appropriate actions to address the material irregularity led to a decision by the AGSA's material irregularity committee, duly delegated, to approve reporting in the audit report of the municipality on the material irregularity with recommendations, as provided for in section 20(4) of the PAA, read with regulation 4(3) of the MI regulations on the steps the accounting officer should take to address the material irregularity within a stipulated period in the audit report.' Buthelezi said he was aware of the grave nature of the issues raised by Maluleke, which were emphasised during a meeting with the AG on July 23. He said he was committed to acting in the interest of the residents of the uMkhanyakude district. 'These residents bear the brunt of failed service delivery due to a lack of governance, financial, and consequence management measures within the district,' he said, adding that the AG has requested a formal report from him by August 15.
