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The 40km razor wire Beitbridge fence.
The Constitutional Court has dismissed with costs an application to overturn the findings against two companies over the unlawful awarding of contracts worth more than R40 million. The companies involved are Profteam CC and Caledon River Properties trading as Magwa Construction.
The SIU’s investigations revealed that the companies were unlawfully awarded tenders to construct a 40 kilometre razor wire fence at the Beitbridge Border Post during lockdown.
The High Court in Johannesburg ruled in 2023 that the companies were awarded the tenders without proper procedures. They sought to appeal the ruling at the Supreme Court of Appeal but that was dismissed in January.
The SIU’s investigations revealed that the Profteam CC and Caledon River Properties received R21.8 million before they commenced with any substantial work to construct the fence. The fence fell apart soon after construction.
The High Court ruled that the SIU should recover profits the companies made excluding proven and reasonable expenses. The companies are yet to comment.
The SIU has welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling to dismiss the application to appeal. The SIU says it will refer any evidence of criminal conduct to National Prosecuting Authority for further action.
