‘Rubbish’ report costs Sol R150k

COUNCIL has been advised to write off fruitless and wasteful expenditure to the value of R150 000 that was paid by the Sol Plaatje Municipality for a “sub-standard” valuation to determine the costs of rehabilitating the Kimberley general landfill site.

During a municipal accounts (MPAC) meeting that was held last week, it was noted that Kazia Engineering was awarded a tender in May 2016 to compile a cost estimate for the closure and rehabilitation of the landfill site.

The company calculated that it would cost council an estimated R28 million to close the site.

The committee was advised that the report submitted by Kazia Engineering was found to be “unacceptable and lacking content”.

The MPAC was informed that the finance directorate “was left with no option but to solicit a new quotation to have the valuation concluded” within the prescribed timeline to submit its financial statements to the Auditor-General and audit committee.

Council discovered that Kaiza Consulting Engineering was paid when it submitted a claim to the Community Services Directorate before the report had been received by the municipality.

“Due to the fact that the information that was highlighted by the Auditor-General of South Africa was not available or relevant at the time of procurement, and with evidence that corrective actions had since been put in place, the committee recommends that the irregular expenditure incurred be written off,” the council report stated.

MPAC was requested to investigate the fruitless and wasteful expenditure that was incurred as a result of the “sub-quality” report received from the service provider and make recommendations to council.