THE controversy over the R108-million Tlhabane Health Care Centre tender in North West lingers on after the discovery that the tender was not advertised.
Two weeks ago Sowetan reported that the centre, which was supposed to have been operational in April 2010, was still under construction.
Now we can reveal that the provincial government did not advertise this tender as required by law.
Tau Pride, the company awarded the tender, was also appointed to manage all other infrastructure projects for the health department.
Both the North West health department and the department of public works are pointing fingers at each other over this award.
Tau Pride director Lambert Lobelo confirmed to Sowetan that the tender was never advertised.
"But it should be noted that this project was not the only one that was not advertised as they were earmarked for the World Cup in 2010," Lobelo said.
The national Treasury requires that all tenders exceeding R500000 be advertised.
Lobelo said the contract to manage health department infrastructure projects was not renewed when it expired last year.
The North West health department declined to comment on the matter and referred Sowetan to the provincial public works department.
Public works department spokesman Matshube Mfloe said he could only comment on procedures followed in the awarding of the tender once he had an opportunity to peruse all the relevant files, which "are in the custody of their supply chain management".
"The file will provide answers to whatever questions which may arise with regards to the procedures followed in awarding the contract to Tau Pride," Mfloe said.
The delay to open the centre was because it needed to be electrified. Following Sowetan's report two weeks ago, Eskom installed electricity.
Health department spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said the project could not be completed on the set date because of a limited budget and an extension of the scope of the facility.
"The completion scope was revised to April 2011 but the supply of electricity by Eskom delayed things even further," Lekgethwane said. - alfredm@sowetan.co.za
More rot uncovered in health tender row
THE controversy over the R108-million Tlhabane Health Care Centre tender in North West lingers on after the discovery that the tender was not advertised.
Two weeks ago Sowetan reported that the centre, which was supposed to have been operational in April 2010, was still under construction.
Now we can reveal that the provincial government did not advertise this tender as required by law.
Tau Pride, the company awarded the tender, was also appointed to manage all other infrastructure projects for the health department.
Both the North West health department and the department of public works are pointing fingers at each other over this award.
Tau Pride director Lambert Lobelo confirmed to Sowetan that the tender was never advertised.
"But it should be noted that this project was not the only one that was not advertised as they were earmarked for the World Cup in 2010," Lobelo said.
The national Treasury requires that all tenders exceeding R500000 be advertised.
Lobelo said the contract to manage health department infrastructure projects was not renewed when it expired last year.
The North West health department declined to comment on the matter and referred Sowetan to the provincial public works department.
Public works department spokesman Matshube Mfloe said he could only comment on procedures followed in the awarding of the tender once he had an opportunity to peruse all the relevant files, which "are in the custody of their supply chain management".
"The file will provide answers to whatever questions which may arise with regards to the procedures followed in awarding the contract to Tau Pride," Mfloe said.
The delay to open the centre was because it needed to be electrified. Following Sowetan's report two weeks ago, Eskom installed electricity.
Health department spokesman Tebogo Lekgethwane said the project could not be completed on the set date because of a limited budget and an extension of the scope of the facility.
"The completion scope was revised to April 2011 but the supply of electricity by Eskom delayed things even further," Lekgethwane said. - alfredm@sowetan.co.za
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