Technology contracts awarded by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT), amounting to over R40 million, will be investigated by the auditor-general of SA (AGSA).
Gauteng roads and transport MEC Ismail Vadi requested investigations into the awarding of these contracts by the Departmental Acquisition Council (DAC) of the GDRT.
“These contracts were awarded between 1 September 2010 and 15 December 2010. The majority of awards were made shortly after the announcement by the premier of Gauteng of my appointment as the MEC for roads and transport,” says Vadi.
He explains that the purpose of the investigation is to establish whether the decisions taken by the DAC, in respect of the contracts, were in accordance with the established legal and regulatory prescripts of government.
“In this sense, this is essentially an internal investigation to assess whether or not there was due diligence on the part of departmental officials and compliance with the established regulatory framework.”
Vadi adds that a preliminary review of available departmental records conducted by his office and the AGSA has shown that there are grounds for a further, in-depth investigation.
Digging deeper
The MEC says there are 13 contracts being investigated. Some of these relate to the intelligent number plates (INP) project, the new electronic driver-learner testing centres (DLTC) and a biometric IT system.
service provider's contract. She adds that the project will be delayed on account of the investigation.
The electronic number plate system will see RFID tags - that contain unique identification codes programmed into a 2D barcode - installed in number plates, allowing traffic authorities to scan the data.
Mamabolo says the biometric verification system contract, worth R4 million, was implemented at the DLTCs and controls access at these centres. There is a separate investigation into the establishment of a turnaround strategy for the DLTCs as well. According to Vadi, this was worth R35 million.
Other contracts under investigation relate to the construction of roads at R900 million over three years, the provision of security to premises and buildings of the GDRT at R49 million, and the construction and renovation of a building owned by the department at R20 million.
Reveal all
“I have urged the AGSA to complete the investigation in the shortest possible time so that it does not compromise the Gauteng government's programmes. It is anticipated that the investigation will be completed within 12 weeks,” says Vadi.
Mamabolo adds that the investigations should be completed by the end of February or mid-March. “It has to be completed by the end of the financial year because we have to report on it in our annual report.”
“I am determined to ensure integrity in the procurement processes within the GDRT, and the current investigation will hopefully either reveal compliance with regulatory framework or show up weaknesses in the system that will have to be rectified,” says Vadi.
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