SIU to look into Gauteng’s R30m express IT tender

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has recalled some of its officials from the countrywide lockdown to be seconded to Gauteng after Premier David Makhura requested the unit to investigate a controversial information technology (IT) tender worth R30 million.

READ: Probe into Gauteng’s 24-hour, R30m express tender

“The SIU team, under the leadership of the head of the unit, advocate Andy Mothibi, met today to consider and execute the request by the premier of Gauteng to investigate the IT tender by the Gauteng e-Government department,” SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said.

He said they had already recalled some of their investigators to start gathering evidence.

“Concerning that, the SIU will be seconding officials today to the premier’s office to go and gather information and check the processes that were followed in the awarding of this tender. This secondment is done as per our legislation.

“Parallel to that, the process of drafting a proclamation will be under way and we will expedite it to start a full-scale investigation once President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed it,” Kganyago added.

The SIU’s investigation comes after Makhura requested the state corruption buster to look into allegations of tender rigging, an allegation which the Gauteng government denied.

City Press reported how officials allegedly bypassed tender processes citing the Covid-19 coronavirus as reason for the deviation, as well as how companies were given two operating hours to respond to the request for quotation.

Abram Mashego Senior journalist | City Press

+27 11 713 9001 abram.mashego@citypress.co.za Media Park, 69 Kingsway Road, Auckland Park

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