Procurement of Solar Panels by COGTA for Houses Raises a Red Flag

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The procurement of solar panels for a housing project by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), instead of Human Settlements, is raising a red flag and questions about how government procurement responsibilities are being handled.

Mathae bends for Sulky again, for the forth time

The procurement is part of a broader pattern involving transfers of officials and prolonged vacancies in critical positions.

This article will not only highlight why critical positions are being left vacant while officials from other departments are brought in to act, but will also answer Zimasa Mbewu, who appears to believe that the transfer of employees is not news.

The trail begins in December 2024, when COGTA transferred Khopotso Moahlodi, its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), to the Office of the Premier.

Premier’s Office backdated transfer to mislead AG

The CFO position at COGTA has remained vacant since and Sogaqa was appointed three months ago.

Martin is Vusi Sogaqa’s brother. This is very important point that in upcoming articles, the dots will connect….

A month later, in January 2025, Human Settlements transferred Nozipho Molikoe, its CFO, to the Department of Social Development.

That position too remains vacant.

In June, Human Settlements transferred John Matlakala, its Supply Chain Management (SCM) Director, to the Office of the Premier, with SWK Mahamotse was supposed to act until 30 November by he quit. Why?

Acting merry-go-round continues at Human Settlements as acting SCM director quits

Then there is Edward Kotjomela, who was appointed director in December, only to be appointed acting CFO in January.

Kotjomela is no longer acting and has since been replaced by Martin Sogaqa from COGTA.

Sogaqa is now acting as CFO at HS department.

For avoidance of doubt, Sogaqa is permanent CFO at COGTA while acting at Human Settlements.

It is against this backdrop that questions are now being raised about the procurement of solar panels for a housing project through COGTA.

Martin Sogaqa, who is the younger brother of Vusi Sogaqa, MMC for Technical Services at Mangaung Metro and a big ally of Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena, the MEC responsible for both departments, is accused of procuring the solar panels for the housing project through COGTA.

We will come to Vusi at a later stage.

A procurement specialist who spoke on condition of anonymity said it’s irregular for COGTA to procure for HS unless there is an existing contract but knowing what we know now that the budget is depleted, it makes sense why.

Beke le beke wheels come off as Human Settlements budget gets depleted

Questions are also piling up with HS is not put under administration like Health and Education were after blowing budget in five months.

Elsabe Rockman was MEC for Treasury when both departments were put under administration.

In other news, Ramponeng Mokoena, Director at HS responsible for Mangaung has been suspended.

His suspension is allegedly linked to questionable payments made behind his back for shabby work by a contractor.

Sogaqa referred this publication to Mbewu, who did not respond to the questions.

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