KZN review was ‘disciplined’

S'bu Sithole File photo: Sibusiso Ndlovu

S'bu Sithole File photo: Sibusiso Ndlovu

Published Jul 30, 2014

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Durban - City manager S’bu Sithole’said his actions to cancel the tender were “very disciplined” and that he had commissioned advisory firm Deloitte to undertake an independent audit.

“I decided that this tender must go back to the bid committee to review its processes,” Sithole said. “It was the right decision in keeping with an independent audit’s findings on the process.”

Added Sithole: “I find it strange that they would fight in court… if they don’t understand the council process I can help them to understand that. I can give them the report of our internal findings.”

He declined to discuss the report or his reasons, saying it was a “sub-judice issue”.

“They must put all the evidence before the court. This matter is as open as it can be.

“I never did anything wrong,” he said.

“If Isidingo or any other company is not compliant, they must be excluded,” Sithole explained. “I don’t have a relationship with Isidingo or any security providers. I am calling on everybody to investigate this.”

eThekwini Municipality spokesman Thabo Mofokeng confirmed that the city ombudsman was investigating the complaint.

However, he declined to comment on the allegation of collusion between Isidingo and Bhejane and an alleged relationship between Sithole and the former, saying the city could not comment because the matter was sub-judice.

“We deny that the city manager did anything illegal.

“The law prescribes that all tenders above R10m be awarded by the city manager.”

He confirmed that Isidingo had done business with the city “for a number of years”.

“The issue of non-compliance has been brought to our attention and there is an investigation under way.”

Daily News

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