A secret service provider received R3.6-million from the eThekwini Municipality. However, the municipality is refusing to account for the expenditure.
The substantial amount was allocated for setting up Public Viewing Areas (PVAs) during the Nedbank Cup Final, held in Durban on May 10 at the Moses Mabhida stadium.
Two PVAs were set up by a secret service provider, one at Albert Park and the other at the Durban Beachfront.
According to City Manager Musa Mbhele, the name of the service provider will not be disclosed to the public. He explained that this was due to the need for protection.
ActionSA raised alarm
The matter was brought to light by ActionSA leader in KZN, Zwakele Mncwango, who demanded clarity on the procurement process and the identity of the service provider.
Mbhele responded as follows: “The total budget allocated for the fan park initiative was R3,600,000. Transparency was ensured through adherence to a competitive procurement process and internal financial controls.
“The appointed service provider was responsible for the coordination and delivery of the Public Viewing Areas (PVAs). Due to information protection regulations and standard procedural requirements, we are unable to disclose the service provider’s name at this stage.”
However, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba contradicted Mbhele’s statement.
“The City embarked on a competitive procurement process, using the Single Source Supplier (SSS) system to ensure that fans were able to view the soccer game.”
Mayor breaks down spending
According to Xaba, the R3.6-million was spent on private security, staging, infrastructure, sound systems. Also on viewing screens, ambulance and medical services, engineer certification. Crowd mobilisation via marketing trailers, as well as pre- and post-match entertainment including DJs and fencing too.
Sunday World asked eThekwini municipality to provide a breakdown of costs for each service. However, the municipality failed to do so.
Gugu Silana, deputy head of communications at the municipality, said all answers would be provided at the upcoming committee meeting.
Committee meeting
“There is no refusal to disclose any information. The city is merely following council and committee processes, which will not be undermined. Members of the media are permitted to attend and cover all committee meetings, Exco, and council sessions. This is where reports are tabled. Please ensure you attend these meetings to obtain information first-hand and avoid publishing gossip or misleading information.”
Speaking to Sunday World, Mncwango said: “It’s clear that taxpayers’ money is gone and they can’t account for it. Mbhele’s response makes it clear that the R3.6-million was given to one company. The question is: whose company is it? And why is it being protected? This raises many questions, including about the procurement process itself. Was the tender even advertised? If so, when and how?
I understand that a certain level of confidentiality is necessary during the procurement process. But once it is concluded, the information should be made public. There’s no reason to wait for Exco or committee meetings. In fact, Exco is not a platform for discussing tenders.”
