By Lungile Ntimba
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has called on finance MEC Lebogang Maile to investigate the social development department for alleged corruption in school uniform cooperatives.
DA social development spokeswoman Refiloe Nt’sekhe said earlier this year that sewing cooperatives enlisted by the department to supply school uniforms were abandoned because the former social development MEC Mbali Hlophe allegedly
failed to pay for services rendered.
“At that time, MEC Hlophe denied knowing the cooperatives even though GDSD’s social media posts depicted her handing out uniforms made by cooperative,” Nt’sekhe said on Wednesday.
She said an investigation by the DA revealed that the department had implemented an “odd procurement process” whereby certain cooperatives would become main contractors and others would become subcontractors.
“For about seven years, the department has failed to spend on school uniforms because the Treasury has released a circular… stating the government cannot procure goods and services from NPOs.
“During all portfolio committee meetings, the department repeatedly highlighted that they had discovered a way to comply with Circular 21. However, every year, funds remained unspent, and this has left many Gauteng learners in desperate need of these uniforms stranded,” she said.
Nt’sekhe said that when the committee suggested hiring a company as the primary contractor and using cooperatives as subcontractors, the department implemented an odd method and procured uniforms.
“As of August, many of the cooperatives were still not paid. Some had even staged an overnight sit-in by the DSD provincial offices,” she said.
She said last month when the Gauteng social development portfolio committee visited NPOs that used to make school uniforms in Sedibeng, they revealed horrific practices by the department.
“The department’s staff had cooperatives which they fronted using friends’ or relatives’ details, while NPOs were registered as main contractors and the department-imposed subcontractors on them,” said Nt’sekhe.
It is alleged that while main contractors were given expired purchase orders, others received the tenders via WhatsApp without a purchase order.
She said many sub-contractors were not legitimate and they did not have proper equipment. Existing cooperatives had to borrow them sewing machines when inspectors visited.
One of the subcontractors is a company from KwaZulu-Natal.
“There was an inconsistency with the orders. The department would give a cooperative an order of 150 uniforms, and yet when they were delivered to the school, the school principal would be expecting an order of 300,” she said.
Nt’sekhe said that when the DA proposed that the tender should be divided amongst small businesses, the department ignored them leading to improper tender procedures.
“The DA will write to the MEC for treasury and economic development, Lebogang Maile, demanding an urgent investigation into the corruption allegations against GDSD staff… “In our letter we will demand that MEC Maile provide clear timelines as to when the investigation will be concluded, the public release of outcomes, and the implementation of recommendations,” she said.
The DA emphasised that there must be no delay in justice, and those found guilty must face the consequences.
INSIDE EDUCATION
