Gauteng Finance MEC Barbara Creecy all but conceded that her department improperly awarded tenders for 3G connectivity in the province, and that large numbers of staff were involved.
3G Connectivity in Gauteng Schools
In response to my question in the Gauteng Legislature regarding irregularities into the awarding of a tender for 3G connectivity to Cloudseed (Pty) Ltd, the MEC said that six officials have been disciplined for financial misconduct as a result of findings of the Auditor-General’s investigation into the matter.
The tender to provide tablets and 3G connectivity to schools was given to Cloudseed, despite the fact that it failed to roll out the Gauteng Online project to provide computer labs to school.
The project was frequently ridiculed as “Gauteng Offline” as a result.
Cloudseed (Pty) Ltd. gets Gauteng Offline
When asked why Cloudseed was not flagged for poor performance after Gauteng Online, MEC Creecy pushed the blame onto the former Head of Department, Mr Stuart Lumka, in an attempt to avoid taking responsibility.
This while Cloudseed continued to get large contracts amounting to hundreds of millions of rand, and that its staff members were appointed by the ANC government.
I have already lodged an application in terms of the Public Access to Information Act (PAIA) for full disclosure of all tender documents and the investigation report into this tender and lay bare the extent of the rot in contracts awarded for ICT.
Media enquiries:
Ashor Sarupen
DA Gauteng Spokesperson for ICT
060 558 8303