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Evaton Renewal Project’s R40million Missing Contracts

Performance audit of the effectiveness of the urban renewal programmes in Gauteng

The Auditor General’s latest report on the “Performance audit of the effectiveness of the urban renewal programmes in Gauteng” reveals a loss of R40 million in contracts gone missing on the Evaton Renewal Project (ERP).

 No physical verification of work completed amounting to this R40 million could be audited. The A-G noted that completion dates for projects could not be determined due to a lack of information.

According to the Department of Human Settlements, these contracts and documents were misplaced.

Further to this, the A-G revealed that the contractors working on the ERP did not have the appropriate minimum grading assigned by the Construction Industry Development Board.

ANC Crippling Evaton

Despite the grading, contractors should not have been considered to bid nor be awarded the tenders for this project.

As information on the ERP further unfolds, the DA will make these revelations known in order to inform the residents of Evaton of how the ANC is crippling their community.

The DA will request the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Mbongeni Radebe, to table the A-G’s report to hold public officials accountable.

This project was purported to uplift and improve the lives of Evaton residents, yet it is becoming more apparent that this project was specifically designed to enrich a few at the expense of those left behind by this administration.

 

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

[Image source]

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DA Calls For Investigation Into Johan Heyns Clinic EPWP Ghost Workers

Johan Heyns Clinic EPWP

The DA has written to the new Gauteng Health MEC, Gwen Ramokgopa, requesting an urgent investigation into allegations of ghost workers and political interference regarding the appointment of ANC members in the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) at Johan Heyns Clinic in Vanderbijlpark.

As the current EPWP contracts at the clinic will come to an end at the close of this financial year, the DA has it on good authority that ANC members have been earmarked to take up all vacant EPWP positions at the Johan Heyns Clinic.

It is also understood that workers who resigned from the project are still receiving their salaries and are paying the project coordinator a cut of their money.

MEC Ramokgopa

Sources have indicated that the ANC regional office in Sedibeng has already set up lists of workers for the new six-month contracts within the EPWP.

It is unacceptable that the ANC is buying support through promising jobs to only their members.

Non-ANC members have no hope in getting a contract through the EPWP as jobs are being secured for the ANC members only.

It is alleged that four current EPWP workers and the project coordinator are at the helm of these corrupt activities.

MEC Ramokgopa must not turn a blind eye to this alleged corruption. In our letter to the MEC, I have requested that she suspend the project coordinator until the investigation is completed.

The newly appointed MEC has the opportunity to show that she will take a zero tolerance stance on corruption and is seen to be working with the community to get to the bottom of this matter.

 

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

[Image source]

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A-G Report Reveals R700million Spent On Evaton Renewal Project

Evaton Renewal Project

Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements, Paul Mashatile, has misled Members of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) by claiming the cost of the Evaton Renewal Project (ERP) was R470 million when the actual figure is just over R700 million.

According to the Auditor General’s report “Performance audit of the effectiveness of the urban renewal programmes in Gauteng” the project cost for the ERP stood at R708 474 966.

Initiated in 2004, the project was intended to uplift and improve the lives of Evaton residents by developing roads, increasing sanitation, delivering housing and creating an environment conducive for the local economy to grow.

Legislature Integrity Commissioner

Furthermore, the A-G reported that the progress on the ERP was “not substantial” and the projects completed were “small and less impactful”.

Currently, residents of Evaton are making use of pit-toilets, houses have not been built as planned and roads and storm water drainage are poorly built and maintained.

The DA will report MEC Mashatile to the Legislature Integrity Commissioner to have his utterances in misleading the Legislature and the public investigated in terms of Section 280 (2) (c) of the Standing Rules of the GPL.

Despite the funds that have been poured into this project, Evaton still remains one of Gauteng’s most neglected townships.

 

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

[Image source]

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Mashatile, Where Are The Evaton Renewal Project Documents?

Evaton Renewal Project

Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements MEC, Paul Mashatile, has refused to respond to a letter from the DA requesting all documentation on projects rolled out through the Evaton Renewal Project (ERP) since its inception in 2004.

This letter was sent to the MEC more than 60 days ago.

Thirteen years on, at a cost of R470 million, this project has achieved very little.

The MECs silence on the project, which is intended to improve the lives of residents living in one of Gauteng’s oldest townships, is most disheartening.

PAIA

Evaton remains one of provinces most neglected townships and residents deserve better.

The DA will continue to pursue access to all documents relating to projects to the ERP, and if need be, we will not hesitate to submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) request.

What does MEC Mashatile have to hide? It is high time he made the documents public, so that the people of Gauteng can know how their money has been spent.

 

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

[Image source]

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MEC Mashatile Must Release Documents On The Evaton Renewal Project

Evaton Renewal Project

The DA will write to Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements MEC, Paul Mashatile, to request all documentation on projects rolled out through the Evaton Renewal Project since its inception in 2004.

12 years and R470 million later, the renewal project has achieved very little.

The initial intention of this project, to improve the township of Evaton, was commendable, however the execution and implementation over the past 12 years has been horrific.

Abused Public Funds

Despite the funds that have been poured into this project, Evaton still remains one of Gauteng’s most neglected townships.

MEC Mashatile must release all documentation and information on this project for the sake of transparency and accountability. Residents of Evaton have on numerous occasions requested the DA to investigate.

We will not stand idle whilst public funds are abused and no one is held to account.

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

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MEC Mazibuko Must Investigate Costs Of OR Tambo Games

OR Tambo Games

The DA will write to Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture MEC, Faith Mazibuko, to launch an investigation into alleged corruption at the OR Tambo Games held earlier this year.

According to a reply to a DA question on the Games, MEC Mazibuko, had stated that normal Supply Chain Management processes were followed in accordance with the respective council’s policies and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

District and Local Municipalities

However, in the breakdown of costs for both Sedibeng District and Emfuleni Local municipalities it is plain to see the exorbitant costs that were incurred.

Sedibeng and Emfuleni spent the following amounts on line items which totalled over R580 000:

  • R199 659.60 unaccounted for in Emfuleni’s budget for the Games;
  • R27 360.00 on 3 Quantum 15 seater taxi’s;
  • R17 779.00 on Nandos lunch packs;
  • R12 072.60 on uniforms;
  • Two line items citing “sport equipment” to the value of R33 955.00;
  • In Sedibeng, R155 028.60 spent on “attire”; and
  • R54 800.00 on “supply and delivery of transport for participants”.

(Click here to view the reply)

Blatant Corruption

If standard processes were followed according to Supply Chain Management and MFMA regulations, one has to ask how the most expensive quotes have been selected to render services to the municipalities.

The DA will not stand by and watch blatant corruption take place in district and local municipalities governed by the ANC.

The MEC must urgently launch an investigation into the matter and ensure that those who abuse public funds are held to account.

 

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

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ANC Regional Secretary Must Pay Back Unlawful Second Salary

Bheki Ngobese

The DA will write to Gauteng Human Settlements MEC Paul Mashatile and ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe to demand an explanation why an ANC official receives salaries from both the party and the Sedibeng District Municipality.

Mr Bheki Ngobese, resigned from the Sedibeng District Municipality after being elected to the position of Regional Secretary for the ANC on 5 November 2014, but still receives a salary from Sedibeng.

The ANC position is a full-time salaried job, and while the exact package is unknown, it is alleged to be similar to that of a Mayor or Member of a Mayoral Committee.

Since assuming his ANC position in November 2014, Mr Ngobesi has reportedly been paid more than R900 000 from Sedibeng.

Mr Ngobesi’s second salary is illegal, and clearly shows how the ANC in Gauteng abuses state resources to enrich its party faithful.

The only way to resolve this is to force Mr Ngobesi to immediately pay back the R900 000.

The DA will continue to pursue this matter on municipal and provincial level, and will not hesitate to lay criminal charges against Mr Ngobesi if he refuses to pay back the money.

 

Media enquiries:

Kingsol Chabalala MPL

DA Gauteng Constituency Head – Emfuleni

060 558 8299

[Image source]