Chester Makana

Chester Makana

A legal battle is looming behind closed doors between the University of Venda and a service provider who was allegedly awarded a cleaning tender without the necessary procedures being followed.

The institution last year appointed Clean Shop to provide cleaning services on campus, but was criticised for not following tender procedures and for wasting resources.

It was reported that the university already had its own cleaners doing the work.

Sowetan has learnt that the cleaning company procured business under the name MCTREV Consultancy and was paid R50000 before any work was done.

Reliable sources at the institution said the new vice chancellor and principal, Peter Mbati, had written to Clean Shop advising it to stop rendering services on campus by the end of last month. But instead the company lodged a dispute.

"It is true that the company was told to stop operating but the process was stopped because the university communique was rejected," said the source

The company is now reportedly accusing Mbati and his team of failing to consult them before terminating the contract.

Fhatuwani Trevor Mulaudzi, owner of Clean Shop, refused to comment .

"I don't want to say anything against the university," he said.

Asked when the contract would come to an end Mulaudzi said: "2010".

The company's contract was reportedly due to expire at the end of February but the audit committee advised Mbati to terminate it sooner to help minimise expenses.

University legal advisor Nanga Lidovo said the decision was taken because of budget constraints.

The two parties will meet next Wednesday to resolve their differences.