Free State Social Development splurge over R100k on 3 laptops

The department of Social Development in Free State is again under the procurement spotlight after procuring 3 Lenovo ThinkPadsfor over a 100 thousand rand
 
A leaked tax invoice from a Roodepoort based shows how the department procured three Lenovo ThinkPads X12 2-in-1 for R133 591.60
 
A quick google search shows a ThinkPad with the same specifications goes for R11 508.01 each.
 
It’s not the first nor the second time that social development finds itself in a mess, concerning the procurement of computers.
 
As we previously reported on the 14th June 2021, the department procured 20 laptops for R500 000 in 2020 much to the anger of the audit committee that raised concerns over overly prized laptops. Meaning one laptop was procured for R25 000.
 
This is recorded in minutes in possession of this publication where the audit committee met on the 3rd December 2020.
 
Interestingly, a month later to be more precise on the 29th of January 2021
the same department procured 46 laptops going for R19 000 each continuing with the splurge against the department having been requested by the audit committee to procure for a lesser amount and the explanation behind the exorbitant price was the three-year warranty and your guess is as good as mine the reason behind the procurement might be the three-year warranty. That’s 46 laptops for over R850 000.
 
If one was to connect the dots the prize in January was reduced by R6000 but the quantity moved from 20 to 46 you do the maths.
 
There is also an internal audit report gathering dust regarding the R2.3 million that was meant for the EPWP project which employees alleged gave names to a service provider on the 8 November 2021, Advocate TJ Phahlo, acting HOD said, “the department has instituted disciplinary action against officials involved, the matter is still in progress.”
 
That was 7 months ago and when we made follow on the R2.3 million story, he did not respond to our questions sent on the 14th of February 2022.

But we can confirm nothing is happening to the officials.
 
The level of impunity in this department is appalling.
 
Free State Social Development could not be reached for comment. 
 
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