Tshwane Ordered to Reinstate Rooiwal Officials Associated with Rooiwal Saga

In a significant legal development, the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) has instructed the City of Tshwaneto reinstate five senior officials suspended in connection with the controversial R295 million Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Plant tender. The ruling also mandates compensation of over R1.3 million for the officials, sparking debates over governance and accountability.

The tender, awarded in 2019 to a joint venture involving Blackhead Consulting,  associated with businessman Edwin Sodi was intended to alleviate Hammanskraal’s water crisis. However, the project faced delays and substandard performance, leading to its termination in 2023. Investigations revealed that the joint venture failed to meet compliance standards during the bidding process.

Following a disciplinary process where the officials were found guilty on one of four charges, the city suspended them with pay while seeking their dismissal through the Labour Court. The bargaining council ruled these suspensions as unreasonable and irrational, highlighting that they exceeded the six-month limit outlined in collective agreements. The officials are now scheduled to return to their previous roles on January 20, 2025.

Municipal spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed the city is reviewing the ruling and consulting legal experts. The Labour Court’s review of the earlier disciplinary findings remains pending, with Bokaba emphasizing the city’s commitment to ensuring accountability within the bounds of the law.

The tender scandal remains under scrutiny, with President Cyril Ramaphosa having authorized the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to examine allegations of corruption and political interference tied to the project. DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink criticized the reinstatement, arguing that accountability is vital for decision-makers who knowingly caused harm.

Brink stated that “the efforts to resolve Hammanskraal’s water crisis must be accompanied by holding those responsible to account” and urged city manager Johann Mettler to challenge the Bargaining Council’s decision in court.

The case has reignited discussions on corruption and governance in Tshwane, with residents still awaiting lasting solutions to the ongoing water crisis. As tensions grow, all eyes are on the city’s next steps to restore public trust.