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CLOUD OF CONTROVERSY: Touring school children visit Pilgrim's Rest information centre. Photo: LAUREN MULLIGAN

There has been unrest in the small town of Pilgrims Rest in Mpumalanga. the Mpumalanga department of Public Works, Roads and Transport still has to disclose tender documents for the contentious awarding of leases in the historic town. PHOTO: ALON SKUY

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A MORE than two months delay by the Mpumalanga department of public works, roads and transport in disclosing tender documents for the contentious awarding of leases at Pilgrim's Rest is raising concerns over the bidding process, which a Pretoria High Court judge described as "shambolic" in July.

The department issued eviction notices to 17 business owners in June to make way for new tenants, after the court labelled the tendering process as flawed, corrupt and racially motivated.

Judge Stanley Makgoba granted the business owners an order stopping their evictions, which was to be effected at the beginning of last month, pending a full review of the tendering process.

However, the department is yet to furnish business owners with the tender documents to enable an application for a full review.

Chairman of the town's Chamber of Business Marius Brummer said they have not received the requested documents from the department.

"We have not received anything, and we are not getting any feedback from the department but everything continues as normal in Pilgrim's Rest," Brummer said yesterday.

But Democratic Alliance leader in Mpumalanga and member of the provincial legislature Anthony Benadie smells a rat, saying they were extremely concerned that the tender documents could possibly be tampered with.

"If they (department) have confidence (in the legitimacy of the tendering process), what is taking them so long?

"The more they delay the more credible the community's case becomes," Benadie said.

He said the delay in finalising the matter left business owners in limbo because they could not invest in their businesses not knowing whether they will be allowed to continue running their businesses.

"Without the tendering documents, they cannot continue with their court challenge, and the delay by the department to hand over these documents is in effect costing the entire town, which should serve as a catalyst for opportunity in the tourism sector," Benadie added.

It was also reported that:

• Multiple leases were awarded to each of five bidders, with Matletle Construction and Projects receiving five leases,
• Pilgrim's Rest Caravan Park is said to have been awarded to a company that will pay a monthly rent of R36. The Caravan Park's previous tenant paid R19000 a month, and
• A bidder who offered more than R3000 was allegedly turned down in favour of a bidder who offered R33 monthly rental for Pilgrim's Rest Golf Course.

The leases are also the subject of an investigation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.

Public works, roads and transport department spokesman Dumisane Malamule did not respond to questions sent to him.

The small mining town, which was declared a National Heritage Site in 1986, will be a hive of activity next weekend as international and local gold panning enthusiasts descend on it for the Gold Panning World Championships.

The town will be hosting the prestigious tournament for the second time in six years.

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Comments

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Fri May 24 06:13:15 SAST 2013 ::

Sep 27, 2012

warry

Our government is corrupting
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Sep 27, 2012

KHOROMMBI1

give those tenders to the shower head's family...corrupt niggers!
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Sep 27, 2012

warry

Khorombi leave Zuma alone. He is my president.
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Sep 27, 2012

|Sinudeity|

Wow, the corruption in South Africa is overpowering. Replacing a lease who paid R19,000 a month for one that pays R36 a month.

And two months later, no tender documentation can be produced. Probably being rewritten as we speak.

Meanwhile, the deputy of the Education department, said that R2.3 BILLION went 'missing'.


The ANC, in every sphere of government doesnt know how to govern honestly.
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Sep 27, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

This is a fkng joke to say the least this greedy bags!!!! The only way you can run the country is by going to courts to force people to be fair and account!!! What is this??? R3000.00 for R33.00
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Sep 27, 2012

Pointman

The same thing is happening to our hospitals and schools - those who pay bribes get the tender and then over price and deliver shoddy service to recover their bribes.
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Sep 27, 2012

mbondo

Like I said before about this Pilgrimes Rest , it's already gone to our black fellows. Booers there can twist and turn but eventually black people will end up owning this place. Booers get it in your thick skull , you have no business to be here in Africa . It's time to head home as fast as possible.
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Sep 27, 2012

|Sinudeity|

mbondo - Boere = White Africans

Deal with it.
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Sep 27, 2012

MorenaWaPolelo

mbondo
Like I said before about this Pilgrimes Rest , it's already gone to our black fellows. Booers there can twist and turn but eventually black people will end up owning this place. Booers get it in your thick skull , you have no business to be here in Africa . It's time to head home as fast as possible
===========================
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Boso ke mang????
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Sep 27, 2012

Pointman

@mbondo - you fool. Human species arose here in Africa. Africa is home for everyone.
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