Businesses may apply for tenders to build RDP houses. These tenders were previously awarded to Julius Malema and his associates. – image – www.bdlive.co.za
SARS has been very busy trying to recover the money owed by former ANC Youth League president, Julius Malema. Various Malema properties have gone on sale to cover his debt. This Wednesday, News24 reported that the Limpopo Department of Human Settlements has decided to put the tenders that were previously awarded to close associates of Julius Malema back on the market. New applicants may submit their bids for these tenders.
Spokesperson for the Department of Human Settlements, Dieketseng Diale, said this decision was influenced by advice the department had received. She pointed out that the department had not been ordered to advertise these tenders again; it had only been advised to do so.
Collins Foromo and Mohammed Dada benefited from these tenders. Wealthy businessman Selby Manthata is also among those who successfully applied to be awarded a share in the R 900 million tenders to build RDP houses. Manthata’s wife Helen Moroeroa is listed as one of the beneficiaries who were awarded a tender under questionable circumstances.
Diale stated that the report compiled by an intervention team that was appointed by President Jacob Zuma was concluded with findings from “incorrect and false allegations”. Despite the corruption scandals that have rocked the Limpopo province in recent months, Diale maintains that the department conducted a fair and transparent process before awarding these tenders.
Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Alliance in the Limpopo province, Desiree van der Walt was satisfied that the tenders would be available to other bidders. The DA wants a full review of the tender application process and stringent measures to be put in place to make corruption and political interference impossible.
The DA did not stop there. As far as the party is concerned, the officials who were the decision-makers when these tenders were awarded should be arrested. No arrests have been made.
