Education boss suspension link with furniture contracts probe.
THE Hawks are investigating a multimillion-rand tender to supply thousands of Eastern Cape schools with furniture.
A case was opened by the Eastern Cape provincial planning and treasury department after auditing firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo was appointed to conduct a forensic audit into the contract.
Provincial education head Mthunywa Ngonzo has been suspended based on preliminary findings in the forensic report.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko confirmed the investigation.
“The case .... involves the breach of tender processes in the awarding of the R46-million contracts,” he said.
“We can only name people when we have made arrests.”
Two weeks ago education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said Ngonzo was suspended pending investigations into allegations of mismanagement of the school furniture tender.
“There are matters that need to be investigated, and the law of the land requires that investigations of this nature be finalised within 60 days,” Pulumani had said.
But contacted for comment yesterday, Ngonzo said he had no knowledge of investigations by the Hawks or SizweNtsalubaGobodo.
“I have never been interviewed nor questioned about the investigations you are asking about.
“I never sat down with treasury to discuss this investigation.”
This contrasts with Pulumani’s statement that department officials had received correspondence from treasury informing them of the forensic investigation.
Asked further about his suspension, Ngonzo said: “I do not know the reasons for my suspension and the reasons given by the department to the public are new to me.”
Treasury spokeswoman Nosisa Sogayise, as well as her head of department Marion Mbina-Mthembu, confirmed the investigation.
Sogayise disputed Ngonzo’s claim that he was unaware of the probe.
The Dispatch has also seen a copy of the SizweNtsalubaGobodo preliminary report which revealed that Ngonzo allegedly contravened procurement processes in purchasing more than R46-million worth of school furniture.
The report states that several suppliers had been disqualified from the process but were still awarded contracts.
“According to the information supplied, 14 suppliers accepted offers by the department to the total of R46.6-million.”
The tender was set aside a month ago by the Bhisho High Court which ruled it irregular and unlawful.
In March, the Dispatch reported that millions of rands worth of school furniture were left unused in storage around the province.
The suppliers and manufacturers awarded the tender had three days to supply the schools with furniture.
Yesterday another education spokesman Mali Mtima confirmed investigating Ngonzo.
“The case is sub-judice, and we appeal to everyone to allow the department space and time to finalise the investigation. Ngonzo remains head of the department until the investigation is finalised.”
Hawks to investigate R46m school tender
THE Hawks are investigating a multimillion-rand tender to supply thousands of Eastern Cape schools with furniture.
A case was opened by the Eastern Cape provincial planning and treasury department after auditing firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo was appointed to conduct a forensic audit into the contract.
Provincial education head Mthunywa Ngonzo has been suspended based on preliminary findings in the forensic report.
Hawks spokesman Captain Paul Ramaloko confirmed the investigation.
“The case .... involves the breach of tender processes in the awarding of the R46-million contracts,” he said.
“We can only name people when we have made arrests.”
Two weeks ago education spokesman Loyiso Pulumani said Ngonzo was suspended pending investigations into allegations of mismanagement of the school furniture tender.
“There are matters that need to be investigated, and the law of the land requires that investigations of this nature be finalised within 60 days,” Pulumani had said.
But contacted for comment yesterday, Ngonzo said he had no knowledge of investigations by the Hawks or SizweNtsalubaGobodo.
“I have never been interviewed nor questioned about the investigations you are asking about.
“I never sat down with treasury to discuss this investigation.”
This contrasts with Pulumani’s statement that department officials had received correspondence from treasury informing them of the forensic investigation.
Asked further about his suspension, Ngonzo said: “I do not know the reasons for my suspension and the reasons given by the department to the public are new to me.”
Treasury spokeswoman Nosisa Sogayise, as well as her head of department Marion Mbina-Mthembu, confirmed the investigation.
Sogayise disputed Ngonzo’s claim that he was unaware of the probe.
The Dispatch has also seen a copy of the SizweNtsalubaGobodo preliminary report which revealed that Ngonzo allegedly contravened procurement processes in purchasing more than R46-million worth of school furniture.
The report states that several suppliers had been disqualified from the process but were still awarded contracts.
“According to the information supplied, 14 suppliers accepted offers by the department to the total of R46.6-million.”
The tender was set aside a month ago by the Bhisho High Court which ruled it irregular and unlawful.
In March, the Dispatch reported that millions of rands worth of school furniture were left unused in storage around the province.
The suppliers and manufacturers awarded the tender had three days to supply the schools with furniture.
Yesterday another education spokesman Mali Mtima confirmed investigating Ngonzo.
“The case is sub-judice, and we appeal to everyone to allow the department space and time to finalise the investigation. Ngonzo remains head of the department until the investigation is finalised.”
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