‘Hush-hush, rush-rush’ job for Nkandla bids
More delays in disciplinary hearing
A contractor that banked millions in state funding to upgrade the homestead of President Jacob was so hurriedly appointed that two key Department of Public Works’ bid committees sat on the same day.
This process usually stretches over weeks.
Special investigations unit (SIU) investigator Christian Legwabe testified the back-toback sittings were “highly abnormal”.
Legwabe is the first witness in ongoing department disciplinary hearings into alleged wrongdoing by officials over the controversial R246-million Nkandla upgrades.
The hearings are taking place in Durban‚ in the case against Jayshree Pardesi‚ a director of key accounts management.
She is one of 10 public works officials who are accused of flouting tender processes in the awarding of various contracts for the Nkandla project.
Legwabe yesterday said that Moneymine Investments 301 CC’s appointment by a public works panel was a “hush-hush‚ rush-rush” job.
He said that according to evidence uncovered in the SIU investigation‚ the bid evaluation committee (BEC) and the bid adjudication committee (BAC)‚ usually independent of one another‚ sat in back-to-back meetings to push Moneymine’s appointment through‚ even though there was no budget for the work.
“But for this to happen on the same day is abnormal‚” he said. “They rushed this project ... “As responsible BAC members they could have refused to sign off knowing that the code of conduct allowed them days to prepare but instead they signed.
“They should have known there was no budget.”
While Pardesi was expected to respond to the allegations, a dispute over documents arose after Legwabe’s testimony.
As a result‚ the hearing was postponed.
The disciplinary process‚ which has been plagued by delays‚ continues in September.