SALDANHA BAY MUNICIPALITY REJECTS ALLEGATIONS OF IRREGULAR TENDER PROCESSES
Saldanha Bay Municipality herewith contest accusations that is made with regards to the 2019/20 Security Tender and declares that the information currently circulating is untrue and void of substance. This message is to protect the integrity of our organisation and meant to provide the community and the reader of accurate information.
The Security tender is a rates’ tender in which the estimated number of guards required are determined by the security requirements of the municipality. The process of appointment was transparent, fair, competitive, equitable and cost-effective in terms of the Constitution.
Two appeals were lodged against the award of the security tender. The relevant Appeal Authority dismissed both appeals after due consideration. It was evident that the appellants accepted the outcome as the courts was not approached with a review application.
Registration with PSIRA is a statutory requirement and was included as a requirement in the tender document. The appointed service provider met all the requirements in terms of specifications, terms and conditions and legislative requirements. The Auditor General audited the tender (RFI 64) and no findings were raised.
In April 2020 the appointed security firm abruptly cancelled this tender. As the municipality must secure its property, a decision was made to employ these guards internally. The municipality is currently busy with the tender process to appoint a new security firm. It is estimated that the procurement process will be completed by the beginning of 2021.
The municipality also repudiates with dismay, the allegation that Councillors are involved in municipal procurement processes. It is herewith affirmed, as founded by the Auditor General, that no Councillor or Office bearer is involved in the SBM supply chain processes.
H F W METTLER
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
