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Scholars in KwaZulu Natal board a bus to go home.
KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers has given the assurance that current scholar transport will not be affected by his decision to halt the awarding of a new tender.
Speaking at a DA event last week, Rodgers said he had received information about alleged irregularities in the awarding of tenders for the provincial school feeding scheme and scholar transport.
Finance department’s spokesperson, Steven Benghu, says, “We can confirm that MEC Rodgers has advised the Provincial Department of Transport to start a new scholar transportation tender after the establishment of irregularities in the appointment of a new service provider. KZN Treasury will monitor the process to ensure adherence to supply chain management prescripts. It is important to state that this process refers to a new tender and will not have a bearing on a tender that is currently operational.”
Rodgers says he believes tender irregularities do not necessarily stem from interference by politicians, but is mostly due to wayward officials.
“I believe the biggest part of the problem lies with officials who have been so brainwashed and so accustomed to doing what it is that they like. They’re no longer compliant with legislation when it comes to the expenditure of money. That’s something we need to deal with and we need to deal with it quickly. I think these two areas are going to be areas of absolute focus,” says Rodgers.
