Dispute over payment for phone system rages

A BHISHO legislature portfolio committee has written to Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle asking why senior officials had misled members by claiming they had not paid a Johannesburg company for a new telephone system.

Internet Solutions spokeswoman Michelle Atkins said yesterday they were paid on March 25, adding that it was not their fault that old landline telephones were rendered inaccessible.

“Our records show that Internet Solutions has been paid in full in line with the contractual and commercial agreements between both organisations,” Atkins said.

She would not say how much the company was paid, but revealed all that was due to them was paid.

Committee chairman Sicelo Gqobana said at last week’s meeting he had a copy of the proof of payment and asked officials to explain why full payment was made when there were still challenges.

Acting director-general Nomawethu Ngcakani said Internet Solutions had not yet been paid a cent and would only be paid once all phones were operational.

Last month, it was reported that telephone calls to the premier’s office had gone unanswered for five months.

Gqobana said yesterday he was not surprised by the company’s revelation, saying it merely confirmed his committee’s suspicions.

He said he had written to the premier asking why the committee had been misled, but had not received a response by yesterday.

Atkins said the company had provided all required infrastructure and software by December last year.