Note to Editors: Please note Riona Gokool, MPL sound bite in English
The DA has written to Premier, Thami Ntuli, to request an independent forensic investigation following revelations of serious procurement irregularities within KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Transport (DoT), which suggest reckless financial mismanagement, lack of oversight and the possible abuse of state resources.
Internal documents leaked to the media reveal that DoT HOD, Mr Siboniso Mbhele, is implicated in overturning adjudication committee decisions, committing the department to an additional R250 million – over and above the original R600million budget – in a subsidised public transport contract and pushing through irregular variations in road construction tenders.
Reports also suggest that a company linked to a Mr Maphumulo was announced as the sole bidder despite records showing that multiple bidders existed. The alleged actions raise critical questions around fairness, integrity, and legality within KZN’s DoT.
The DA has written to KZN Transport MEC, Siboniso Duma, calling for the following answers;
• Why red flags raised by senior officials were ignored. Adjudication committee decisions exist to provide safeguards against irregular, inflated or unfair procurement decisions. The reported overturning of these decisions by the HOD are deeply concerning
• Why a company was announced as the only bidder when evidence suggests multiple bids existed. This raises serious concerns about manipulation of the tender process and anti-competitiveness
• On what basis the HOD/senior leadership claimed authority to commit additional spending beyond the budget. The reported extra R250million line item was not budgeted and its basis must be explained and justified
• Why passenger fares are being collected if the service is already subsidised. The layering of fare collection over an already subsidised transport programme demands clarity: is there double charging or leakage? and;
• An update on the status of the incomplete project/s. We expect the DoT to account fully, including whether contractors have been paid, and when completion will occur.
The DA will also call on the KZN Legislature and relevant oversight bodies to call the DoT and contractor to appear before them. We will further request that the Auditor-General (A-G) prioritise an investigation into these procurements.
This internal report must be made publicly available, with redactions only for legitimately sensitive security or personal data. Furthermore, all financial records, company shareholdings, bank accounts and disclosure statements of the contractor must also be made available to auditors or a judicial body, to allow full scrutiny. Meanwhile, no further payments or contract variations must be approved until the matter is resolved and proper governance is restored.
The DA stands ready to cooperate with oversight bodies and will push for criminal investigations in the event that evidence substantiates this. KZN’s taxpayers must not be left to carry the burden of corrupt and reckless decision-making.