Siyenza Group’s R119-million VIP toilets tender in the Northern Cape had to be scaled down from 5500 units to 3000 units due to an “increase in the unit cost”, it was disclosed to parliament by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Pravin Gordhan on March 27.
The tender was awarded in February last year but a year later not all 3000 units have been built and connected.
VIP toilets are ventilated, improved pit latrines, said to be more hygenic than standard pit toilets.
More than R55-million has been paid to Siyenza Group for work done at six of 10 sites in the Northern Cape.
Gordhan told parliament: “At the outset, the plan was to eradicate 5500 bucket toilets by providing dry sanitation systems (VIP latrines) but this targeted number was later revised down to 3000 due to (the) increase in the unit cost.
“The contract was awarded on February 21 2014, and is due to be completed by June 30 2015, which will bring the duration of the contract to 18 months.”
This information is in direct contrast to an advert published by Cogta which stipulates the contract is seven months long.
Cogta’s chief-of-staff Dumisani Jele said they would only be able to comment on Monday.
Gordhan also revealed Siyenza Group was the trading name of a company called Blue Nightingale Trading 397 (Pty) Ltd.
However, in numerous interviews with Siyenza’s owner, Bongani Mpeluza, the leadership of Amathole District Municipality and Jele, the name Blue Nightingale Trading 397 has never come up.
Asked about the company’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) registration, Gordhan said one of the entities within the group, Taj Consortium, had a rating with CIDB.
However, he has not revealed its grading level. For a company to be awarded a contract valued at more than R40-million it has to have a Level 7 grading.
In an interview with the Saturday Dispatch two months ago, Mpeluza never mentioned Taj Consortium.
This week DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said: “Siyenza Group is a political appointment. It is holding the people of this country to ransom through poor workmanship and profit-making while the people of this country suffer a loss.
“We are awaiting the public protector’s investigation and report on Siyenza.” — siphem@dispatch.co.za
Tender cut down from 5 500 to 3 000 units
The tender was awarded in February last year but a year later not all 3000 units have been built and connected.
VIP toilets are ventilated, improved pit latrines, said to be more hygenic than standard pit toilets.
More than R55-million has been paid to Siyenza Group for work done at six of 10 sites in the Northern Cape.
Gordhan told parliament: “At the outset, the plan was to eradicate 5500 bucket toilets by providing dry sanitation systems (VIP latrines) but this targeted number was later revised down to 3000 due to (the) increase in the unit cost.
“The contract was awarded on February 21 2014, and is due to be completed by June 30 2015, which will bring the duration of the contract to 18 months.”
This information is in direct contrast to an advert published by Cogta which stipulates the contract is seven months long.
Cogta’s chief-of-staff Dumisani Jele said they would only be able to comment on Monday.
Gordhan also revealed Siyenza Group was the trading name of a company called Blue Nightingale Trading 397 (Pty) Ltd.
However, in numerous interviews with Siyenza’s owner, Bongani Mpeluza, the leadership of Amathole District Municipality and Jele, the name Blue Nightingale Trading 397 has never come up.
Asked about the company’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) registration, Gordhan said one of the entities within the group, Taj Consortium, had a rating with CIDB.
However, he has not revealed its grading level. For a company to be awarded a contract valued at more than R40-million it has to have a Level 7 grading.
In an interview with the Saturday Dispatch two months ago, Mpeluza never mentioned Taj Consortium.
This week DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said: “Siyenza Group is a political appointment. It is holding the people of this country to ransom through poor workmanship and profit-making while the people of this country suffer a loss.
“We are awaiting the public protector’s investigation and report on Siyenza.” — siphem@dispatch.co.za
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