Joburg yet to get R6m paid-up computers

Worker, service provider collude to defraud metro

Four years after the City of Johannesburg forked out R6-million for 500 desk computers, none have been delivered to date, according to mayor Herman Mashaba.

Instead‚ the computers for the group information communication technology department were allegedly sold by the service provider who had won the tender for the equipment.

He is alleged to have also kept others for use in his business‚ Mashaba said.

On Tuesday‚ the Hawks raided the company’s offices and seized about 37 computers worth R750 000 belonging to the city‚ Mashaba added.

“It is alleged that after winning the tender to supply the computers‚ the service provider placed an order with Mustek to do the city’s imaging on the computers. This was a standard procedure.

“But with this batch it is alleged that when he received it from Mustek‚ the service provider [and] his specialists in information technology filed [off the serial numbers on the computers] to remove the city’s imaging‚” Mashaba said.

“It is alleged that most of the computers were sold to other clients and the 37 that were seized were used by the service provider’s staff members.”

It is understood that a city official is embroiled in the scandal.

“Preliminary investigations into the matter have revealed that a city official was paid R1-million by the service provider for securing the deal for them‚” Mashaba said.

“I was also informed that the service provider colludes with one of our officials who steals printer cartridges from our stores and sell it to the service provider who then sells it back to the city.”

The activities were allegedly brought forward by an insider. –