The DA in eThekwini is concerned about the actions of the ANC-led eThekwini government, which resulted in a court order ordering the city to cancel and re-advertise a R90 million water tanker contract.
Xmoor Transport filed an appeal after being denied the R90 million water tanker contract.
The eThekwini Municipality Appeals Authority ordered council officials to re-advertise the three-year tender, which was granted to five companies in November.
The Appeals Authority determined that the winning bids should have been dismissed due to being defective.
The DA had previously received information about alleged payments offered to officials by companies pursuing lucrative water tanker contracts, and we believe this is related to those allegations.
It is no secret that the city has a history of corruption and fraud, with previous mayors even facing corruption and fraud charges.
What is concerning is the absence of accountability and the ongoing flouting of the law and municipal protocols designed to avoid malpractice in the procurement system.
We commend Xmoor for involving authorities in this case.
The DA will raise questions to exco and the city manager on the amounts that have already been paid, how the funds will be recovered, and what repercussions will be faced by officials who ignored due procedure and continued with the irregular awarding of the tender.