By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A company linked to African National Congress (ANC) deployee and Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka has withdrawn its bid for the R3 billion National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender.
Hlomuka established Aphigugu Trading in 2015, but transferred ownership to his mother.
The company was shortlisted for the tender, but has withdrawn following a probe.
Hlomuka is facing probe over allegations of political interference and personal enrichment in the schools nutrition tender.
KwaZulu-Natal premier Thami Ntuli revealed during a media briefing in Durban on Friday there is no evidence to justify disciplinary action against Hlomuka.
Ntuli said provincial treasury was still assessing the more than 900 appeals submitted regarding the tender.
“Given the volume of appeals, it is essential Treasury be allowed the time to conduct a thorough and diligent review to identify any irregularities or signs of compromised processes,” said Ntuli.
Until such a determination is made, it would be premature to cancel or re-advertise the tender. We remain in constant communication with Treasury to monitor progress.”
He said he was aware Hlomuka’s mother had initially participated in the tender process but later withdrew.
“We are still following up on this and will continue to investigate any relevant information that may arise.
Nomagugu Simelane, MEC of Health was also accused of influencing funding to a company linked to her family, Kwazi-Gugu Investments.
Fullview learnt that the company received a controversial loan from Ithala Bank and duplicate payments totalling R1.42m from the department of agriculture while she was chairperson of the agriculture and rural development portfolio committee in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature.
However Ntuli said he also could not link Simelane as a direct beneficiary in her family’s business because her name was not registered in the company’s registration database.
“The information I received is unfortunate in that I was unable to verify the allegations. At this stage, there is no evidence linking her personally — only that the company in question is associated with her family.”
Ntuli denied there was political pressure on him as an Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member not to act against the ANC members in the government of provincial unity.
He also revealed he would place transport head of department Siboniso Mbhele, on precautionary suspension on his return from sick leave, after a series of alleged procurement irregularities amounting to hundreds of millions of rand.
Mbele is implicated in an alleged procurement irregularities involving contracts worth hundreds of millions of rand. They include a R672m public transport tender, irregular variation orders worth over R146m, and a traffic management contract extension.