Critical water infrastructure under threat as department plays ‘Russian roulette’ with the nation

Critical water infrastructure such as dams, tunnels, canals and water pumps are under threat as the department of water and sanitation is embroiled in a legal battle over a maintenance contract that expired two years ago

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On Friday the department was ordered to release the tender’s evaluation process records to construction company Bicacon, which was recommended for the project nationally. Bicacon’s chief financial officer Mokgaetjie Molomo said in court papers that the “application [is] seeking reasons the tender validity period has been extended five times, without an award. The value of the tender is in excess of R1 billion, and relates to the maintenance of vital national water resources and infrastructure.

Instead of making the appointment, the department “was instead engaging in expensive emergency procurement of services that formed the subject matter of the delayed tender. The supply chain unit assured the committee that all evaluation criteria had been complied with, but more queries were raised by the adjudication committee.

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City_Press /  🏆 7. in ZA

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