By OBAKENG MAJE
The alleged widespread corruption and fraud within the school transport system continue to plague the North West Community Safety and Transport Management department.
It is alleged that, some bus operators defraud the system by inflating the kilometres travelled when rendering the service in terms of the contract and as a result, claimed excess payment prices from the department.
The SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said, their investigations revealed that one of the service providers, Maczola Tours inflated the kilometres travelled when rendering the service in terms of the contract. Kganyago said the service provider claimed excess payment from the department when they provided scholar transport services to the Kopanelo Primary School in Delerayville between October 2010 and June 2017.
“The SIU’s evidence suggests that Maczola Tours benefitted unlawfully from the department by an excess amount of R180 793.20. However, there is still a process to be followed before the ill-gotten money is paid back. The
Special Tribunal ordered the SIU to file an affidavit explaining how it determined the figure in question by 28 October 2022.
“The Maczola Tours also needs to submit an affidavit responding to the costs in line with the SIU’s calculations by 4 November 2022. The Special Tribunal will make a final decision on the payable amount after the submission of the affidavits,” he said.
According to Kganyago, the Special Tribunal order is a continuation of the implementation of the SIU investigations outcomes and consequence management to recover monies lost by the department. He further said, there are other cases enrolled in the Special Tribunal awaiting adjudication and will result in recoveries for the department.
“On 19 October 2022, the Special Tribunal order ruled that Maczola Tour should pay back the money it unlawfully gained from the department and pay for the SIU’s legal costs.
“The judgment comes after the SIU was authorised to investigate the awarding of scholar transport contracts by the President of the Republic under Proclamation R.2 of 2018, following widespread allegations of irregularities concerning the appointment and overpayment of service providers contracted in terms of the tender,” Kganyago said.
He said the SIU investigated to establish whether there were any irregularities and unlawfulness in the procurement process, that led to the appointment of service providers in terms of the tender, and lack of departmental oversight in respect of services rendered.
The SIU investigations revealed that Maczola Tours inflated the kilometres travelled when rendering the service in terms of the contract and as a result, claimed excess payment from the department.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said: “We note the judgment of the Special Tribunal, which was brought by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). I believe that this will serve to encourage all businesses to be sincere.
“We also wish to encourage all those who have contracts with the department to conduct their business honestly and claim what is due to them.”
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