The top brass of the Eastern Cape department of transport are at odds over the controversial R1.4-billion scholar transport tender.
Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana said new operators were needed to transport thousands of pupils.
The scholar transport programme has been fraught with problems, with administrators One Future Development accused of failing to pay operators. Due to non-payment, thousands of pupils were left without transport.
However, in an affidavit submitted as part of an application on October 24, head of department Tshepo Kgare said One Future Development’s contract should be extended as it provided “a safe, effective and reliable service”.
Kgare, who resigned last year but has continued on in her role as HoD, left the department a few days after submitting the affidavit. She was listed as one of the respondents.
The matter before the Grahamstown High Court was brought in July last year by Mthatha-based company Trackstar Trading, who lost out on the tender when it was awarded.
The company argues the contract should have gone to them when the preferred bidder failed to provide the necessary paperwork. Trackstar was ranked second.
Kgare, who is the first respondent, in her affidavit wrote: “The department itself does not have the resources, whether personal or otherwise, to monitor and administer the day-to-day operations of the programme.
“An administration company is required to undertake this essential role. Broadly speaking, this constitutes the present model which, since the department has taken over the programme, has produced a reasonable efficient and safe service.”
Tikana, together with her education counterpart, Mandla Makupula said new operators with valid permits and roadworthy vehicles were needed.
Transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said One Future Development’s contract will not be extended.
“We are not going to re-advertise the tender. Instead we will invite interested operators to come forward and sign contracts directly with the department,” said Kumbaca.
One Future Development has been running the scholar transport programme since 2011.
In the period up to April this year, more than R800-million has been paid to them.
A few months ago, operators told the Daily Dispatch that they have lost their vehicles and were struggling to make ends meet. They claimed One Future Development failed to pay them, but the company blamed the department for not paying on time.
This and other problems led to the department re-advertising the scholar transport tender in March 2013.
East London company Somila Consulting Agency was victorious according to scorecards. However, there were problems with their tax certificate and Trackstar Trading, which came in second, demanded the tender be awarded to them. The department refused and Trackstar took the matter to court. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Top brass at odds over scholar transport tender
Transport MEC Weziwe Tikana said new operators were needed to transport thousands of pupils.
The scholar transport programme has been fraught with problems, with administrators One Future Development accused of failing to pay operators. Due to non-payment, thousands of pupils were left without transport.
However, in an affidavit submitted as part of an application on October 24, head of department Tshepo Kgare said One Future Development’s contract should be extended as it provided “a safe, effective and reliable service”.
Kgare, who resigned last year but has continued on in her role as HoD, left the department a few days after submitting the affidavit. She was listed as one of the respondents.
The matter before the Grahamstown High Court was brought in July last year by Mthatha-based company Trackstar Trading, who lost out on the tender when it was awarded.
The company argues the contract should have gone to them when the preferred bidder failed to provide the necessary paperwork. Trackstar was ranked second.
Kgare, who is the first respondent, in her affidavit wrote: “The department itself does not have the resources, whether personal or otherwise, to monitor and administer the day-to-day operations of the programme.
“An administration company is required to undertake this essential role. Broadly speaking, this constitutes the present model which, since the department has taken over the programme, has produced a reasonable efficient and safe service.”
Tikana, together with her education counterpart, Mandla Makupula said new operators with valid permits and roadworthy vehicles were needed.
Transport department spokesman Ncedo Kumbaca said One Future Development’s contract will not be extended.
“We are not going to re-advertise the tender. Instead we will invite interested operators to come forward and sign contracts directly with the department,” said Kumbaca.
One Future Development has been running the scholar transport programme since 2011.
In the period up to April this year, more than R800-million has been paid to them.
A few months ago, operators told the Daily Dispatch that they have lost their vehicles and were struggling to make ends meet. They claimed One Future Development failed to pay them, but the company blamed the department for not paying on time.
This and other problems led to the department re-advertising the scholar transport tender in March 2013.
East London company Somila Consulting Agency was victorious according to scorecards. However, there were problems with their tax certificate and Trackstar Trading, which came in second, demanded the tender be awarded to them. The department refused and Trackstar took the matter to court. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos