QUICK READ

Flood repairs

THE Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has withheld payments to the companies that undertook repair work after the Kwazulu-natal floods pending an investigation into the procurement process followed by the department.

This was revealed by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille when she responded to parliamentary questions from IFP MP Sanele Zondo this week.

In August, Auditor-general Tsakani Maluleke red-flagged dubious contracts linked to the rebuilding efforts and to conflicts of interest with some of the appointed contractors being employees or spouses of employees of the state.

De Lille said Maluleke had also found that service providers were approached using a deviation process in which there was no competition among service providers.

She said the department had not paid any service provider for the refurbishment of infrastructure damaged by the storm in April even though all work was finished months ago.