North West Legislature Committee on Cooperative Governance and SCOPA rejects unsigned responses of Dr. R.S Mompati District on alleged R38m call centre
The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs chaired by Hon. Aaron Motswana and the Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts has rejected the unsigned responses presented by Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality and gave them until Tuesday 21 November 2023 to respond on the alleged R38m call centre adequately. This follows an oversight meeting with the district municipality to account on media reports that a duplicate call centre was constructed with public funds that were meant for service delivery.
Hon. Motswana who was also the Acting Chairperson of SCOPA said both Committees were disappointed with the unsigned responses that could not outline the processes that transpired on the awarding of the duplicate call centre contract. “The district municipality has failed to respond to the controversy surrounding the R38 million makeshift call centre and on the names of Councillors and officials who were involved as well as owners of the companies that were appointed. Furthermore, they could not submit detailed report on the supply chain management processes, bid adjudication committees and where the budget for the tender came from.
“The tender should have been part of the service delivery budget implementation plan as it is rumoured to be a multi-year contract from several municipal administrations,” said Hon. Motswana.
He also said the Committees denounced the conduct of the district municipality as “arrogant and irresponsible” for failing to account on how the then municipal council passed a resolution to establish a second and duplicate call centre. “We vehemently reject the municipality’s excuse that documentation of the contract is at the Auditor General’s Office as there should be copies that are stored on the municipal document cloud system as part of record keeping management. We urge the Executive Mayor Motseokae Maje to return to the Committees with a full comprehensive report with portfolio of evidence on each transaction, how the tender was advertised and process plan on appointments done.
“The municipality did however confirm the tender was for R38m and we are also pleased that the Mayor has promised to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and the Committees as well as investigate the matter,” said Hon. Motswana.
Executive Mayor, Cllr. Maje told the Committees that the district municipality appreciates the work of both Committees on the matter. “The municipal council has instructed the Municipal Manager to investigate the matter and so far, Motshabi Attorneys have been appointed to conduct the work. We will also cooperate with the law enforcement agencies on investigating the matter and will provide relevant documentation.
“The district municipality will also submit a comprehensive report on what transpired to both Committees of the Legislature,” said Cllr. Maje.
Hon. Motswana said the Committees will engage the district municipality once the comprehensive report has been submitted.
Enquiries:
Namhla Luhabe
Cell: 079 527 0628
Tel: 018 392 7000
Email: namhla@nwpl.org.za
