MLM officials  alleged to be offering tenders to girlfriends

JANE FURSE

SMMEs in the Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality (MLM) are concerned about the MLM s’ recruitment and selection policies. The entrepreneurs have also complaint about alleged nepotism at the municipality, especially within the Supply chain and Human resource departments.

According to the whistle blowers, senior members in these departments sat in a panel which gave business opportunities to the administrators relatives and girlfriends. The MLM allegedly gave business opportunities to SMMEs with family relations to two senior managers leading the Supply Chain and Human Resources departments.

“There is a certain group, which is the only beneficiaries with the municipality’s RFQs tenders. They get everything, transportation, catering, tents, chairs, still water contracts, they are the only players in this game.
“We have credentials and experience to execute such small tenders but we are always denied these opportunities,” alleged the source.

The SMMEs questioned, ” How are we expected to grow when opportunities are not shared fairly”?

 They pleaded with relevant officials, the Municipal Manager (MM) and the political leadership at the municipality to intervene and do a probe on these allegations .

“We are peaceful, and plead for opportunities, we cannot have the same people benefiting for years. We plead for intervention in ensuring that nepotism is rooted out at all departments in the MLM.”

The business owners have also alleged the top leadership of the ANC Sekhukhune region are interfering in the day to day running of the MLM.

This has allegedly led to several companies linked to the families of the ANC’s top management in Sekhukhune benefiting in most contracts in the MLM.

The recent tender shenanigans, has led to the local business people urging the management, both administration and political to conduct an introspection.
“We just need fairness, that’s all, its pity to be left out in a game you are fit to play, the management have to give fair business opportunities to MLM inhabitants.”
In response, the MLM said claims of nepotism levelled against the municipality are false, baseless and irrelevant.

“The municipal council prides itself after fulfilling its obligation of filling all senior management positions across all departments to ensure consistent implementation and accountability in all operations including in finance and human resource management.
“The council’s supply chain management and recruitment policies are reviewed on regular basis to ensure effective, fair, transparent and high ethical practices by officials in these departments, leaving no room for acts of nepotism and unfair competition,” said municipal spokesperson Thomas Mashabela.

He said the leadership of the municipality have just received accolades and seven audit awards from SALGA for consistency in the implementation of internal controls as well as other key performance indicators.

“The municipality embraces oversight and accountability scrutiny by interested parties however does not take lightly dissemination false, nonfactual and unverified information that seeks to undermine the integrity and credibility of our governance systems.”