Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – Following our story published two weeks ago, in which we reported Free State Education spent R10 769 241,44 on three events in August 2023 and the Auditor General of South Africa is looking away, more details are now available.
This relates to three events; in Xhariep on the 19 August, Lejweleputswa on the 25 August, and Fezile Dabi on the 31 August 2023.
RECAP:
The total cost of these three events is R10 769 241,44 broken as follows:
In Xhariep the event was held at Ipetleng Secondary School and the department decided to hire a marquee.
- Marquee with chairs R787 370.50
- Event Promoter for Media R683 000.00
- Transport and Catering R940 269.94
- Hygiene Packages for learners R585 200.00
- Outside Broadcast Lesedi FM R287 500.00
- Total: R3 283 340, 44
This was for 1300 people, yes 1300.
In Fezile Dabi, the event was held at Phirihadi Primary School, Heilbron. The school has a hall but a marquee was hired at the cost of R881 070.00
- Marquee and decor R881 070.00
- Event Promoter for Media R920 300.00
- Transport and Catering R916 835.00
- Hygiene Packages for learners R734 968.00
- Outside Broadcast Lesedi FM R287 500.00
- Total: R3 740 673.
This was for 1700 people.
The last event was at Ntuthuzelo Primary School in Builtfotein and again, for a marquee and décor the department paid R890 460.00
- Marquee and Décor R890 460.00
- Event Promoter for Media R905 659.00
- Transport and Catering R908 855.00
- Hygiene Packages for learners R752 754.00
- Outside Broadcast Lesedi FM R287 500.00
- Total: R3 745 228.00
- Again this was for 1700 people.
The following companies allegedly responded to RFQs although the department, and of course common sense would tell for such amounts required a tender be put out.
In Xhariep, the jobs were allocated to these companies:
Khulakani Capital (décor) @ R787 370.50
Matuma Trans (Event Promoter for Media) @ R683000.00
Thinda Z Pty Ltd (Transport and Catering) @ R940 269.94
Magna Industries (Hygiene Packages) @585 200.00
In Fezile Dabi, the jobs were allocated to these companies:
Mphanya Investments (décor) @ R881 070.0
Danibo Trading (Event Promoter for Media) @ R920 500.00
Cum Laude Investment (Transport and Catering) @ R916 500.00
Aquarius PTY Ltd (Hygiene Packages) @R734 968.00
In Lejweleputswa, the jobs were allocated to these companies:
Bohlale Ba Thuto (décor) @ R890 460.00
Philetha Projects (Event Promoter for Media) @ R905 659.50
Mokoma Group (Transport and Catering) @ R908 855.00
Magna Industries (Hygiene Packages) @R752 754.00
Further scrutiny shows Magna Industries got the job in two districts namely; Xhariep and Lejweleputswa having R585 200.00 and R752 754.00 for hygiene products respectively. In Xhariep it was for 1300 while in Lejweleputswa it was for 1700.
What was contained in these hygiene packages?
On the other hand, Khulanathi Capital and Mphanya Investment who got décor jobs in Xhariep and Fezile Dabi respectively, quoted the department R1 205 000.00 and R1 084.430.00 for Transport and Catering work in Lejweleputswa. Of course, they did not get the jobs as their prizes were over R1 million. But why did they over-quote?
Bohlale Ba Thuto and Matuma Trans are other companies that got jobs and have responded to at least two RFQs.
Sonaqua Events is another company that responded to at least two RFQs, and in weeks to come, we will zoom into it and how much it has made at Free State Health since the new administration and link its work at Health to Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation when the incumbent Health MEC was in charge at SACR.
Much as the Auditor General chose not to respond to questions about Free State Education and the Office of Premier although they responded to questions related to other departments, we will not stop writing.
This was neither urgent nor emergency, someone must account.
If you have news or tips please email us at news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
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