The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng received documents from the Gauteng Health Department in terms of a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application for a copy of the contract to provide security services at all health institutions in the province. This contract had been awarded to a company called Triotic. However, instead of providing the contract, the department handed over a heavily redacted service level agreement (SLA). The names of the representatives of Triotic were blacked out everywhere in the document. There is no justification for this. This is public money being used. It is in the public interest that the persons involved in a company receiving taxpayer money be identified.
The DA Gauteng has previously exposed the link between Triotic and the Deputy Mayor of Tshwane, Eugene Modise.
Why was the contract not given to us, and only the SLA? Why was the document so heavily redacted? The fact that they refuse to disclose the names of the directors leads to only one conclusion: the department is trying to hide directors who may be politically connected. We also note that a recent judgement exposed the fact that the company is not tax compliant.
Awarding the contract in these circumstances smacks of corruption. The DA Gauteng demands an explanation from the MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. She must explain why the names of the directors of this company were redacted and why a contract was awarded to a company that is the subject of an adverse tax judgement. Furthermore, we demand to know which other companies had tendered for this contract and on what basis this company received the award. Where were the “open tender processes” the provincial government brags about?
We will not cease the demand for accountability in public spending. If the answers are not satisfactory, we will certainly pursue all avenues to ensure that any person involved in any impropriety in this matter faces the severest of consequences.
A DA-led Gauteng provincial government would ensure that the correct procedures are followed when a tender is awarded. The names of directors and board members would be available to the public. This will greatly reduce the opportunity for corruption. We would also ensure that all tenders are awarded openly and transparently, and that every business that qualifies is given a fair opportunity to receive work from the government.