Public Protector requests government not to duplicate Smart Meter investigation
Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela has noted media reports on 5 November 2015 announcing that the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Hon. Pravin Gordhan has ordered an investigation into the award of the Tshwane Smart Meter contract to PEU Capital Partners (Pty) Ltd.
She wishes to draw the attention of the Minister and other interested parties to the fact that her office has been conducting an investigation into the Smart Meter contract since March 2013.
At the time of the first letter to the Mayor of the City of Tshwane, the City advised that the contract had not been awarded and that the City had only entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with PEU Capital Partners.
From then her office battled to get the necessary information to conclude the investigation, only to discover that while failing to provide information on the matter and being aware that there was an alleged irregularity, the City proceeded to award the contract to PEU Capital Partners.
The Public Protector has recently received another complaint relating to the alleged cancellation of the Smart Meter contract.
The Public Protector wishes to draw attention to the fact that most of the information sought from the City is still outstanding. As a result, a subpoena will be issued for a confidential hearing to be held at the National Office of the Public Protector, with a view to preparing a report within 30 days thereafter.
The Public Protector appeals to the Minister not to duplicate the process but rather to support the finalisation of the investigation and then decide what to do with the outcome.
The Public Protector met with the complainants in the matter on 4 November 2015 and advised them on the challenges faced in investigating the matter to date and informed them of the subpoenas and hearing as part of the plan to expedite the finalisation of the investigation.
She will also be writing to the Mayor, requesting that the new contract, which has been advertised as a tender, should not be awarded before her office’s investigation is concluded and its outcome communicated to the City Council, COGTA and the National Treasury.
For more information, contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi
Tel: 012 366 7006
Cell: 079 507 0399
E-mail: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
