EFF asks Mkhwebane to probe Free State Department’s shady R180m tender scandal

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Free State has lodged a complaint with Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, to investigate the Free State department of Police, Roads and Transport’s sketchy R180 million tender awarded to dodgy companies.

The second official opposition party in the province said its complaint, was triggered by how the department made upfront payments worth millions to contractors without the work done.

It is alleged that these contractors were mandated to do road construction work in three townships, Reitz, Thaba Nchu and Tweeling, however, no work was done.

The opposition party said it was perturbed by leaked documents which detailed the alleged payments processed to these contractors.

According to the leaked papers seen by EFF, the department paid R47 million upfront for the construction of the Dewetsdorp road, while R41 million was meant for the construction of the Reitz- and Tweeling road and R18 million reserved for Thaba Nchu’s municipal road.

EFF’s provincial secretary Malefane Msimanga said the lodged complaint was part of the party’s move to “expose the rot that takes charge in the province”.

“The aforesaid department made advanced payments amounting to R180 million, meant for roads construction and maintenance in the province, to various service providers to commence with the road construction projects and do the necessary maintenance,” the party said in a released statement.

“We wish to bring to your attention today that to date no construction or maintenance work has been done despite the fact that exorbitant amounts of taxpayers’ money were paid to different contractors in advance.

“We are seated here struggling to comprehend why public funds were rushed into the pockets of individuals who to date have not begun to produce noticeable outputs.

“Having observed the above, we find ourselves with no option but to approach your office as one of the Chapter Nine institutions for urgent intervention,” read the statement.

The department has since refuted the claims, and labelled these allegations as ‘malicious’.

The matter is under the legal review by the Bloemfontein High Court.