Johannesburg - The Ekurhuleni metro has welcomed a probe by the public protector into alleged tender irregularities allegedly involving a city manager.
“As a metro we take these matters serious and will fully co-operate with the public protector’s office,” municipal spokesman Zweli Dlamini said on Wednesday.
He said the municipality would accept the findings of the investigation.
The public protector was investigating allegations of maladministration and corruption in the Ekurhuleni metro in relation to a R109 million tender for the supply of intelligent water meters.
“The tender was allegedly awarded to a certain company despite the company in question not complying with tender requirements,” Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's spokesman Oupa Segalwe said.
“It is also alleged that the value of the tender was inflated.”
Segalwe said it was alleged that a payment of nearly R40m was made to the company before it delivered the services procured.
“The public protector is also investigating allegations that the complainant in this matter was intimidated and victimised after blowing the whistle about the suspected irregularities to the leadership of the metro,” he said.
“The complainant was allegedly suspended after blowing the whistle.”
Sapa