Picture: The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality logo
By OBAKENG MAJE
The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality in Vryburg, believes that, there is a smear campaign against it in order to distabilise the smooth running of the municipality. This comes after the allegations published in City Press newspaper that, the municipality has paid R38 million for a call centre.
However, the the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality spokesperson, Joel Motlhasedi, described the allegations as absurd. He alleged that, the allegations were intended to discredit the good name of the municipality.
“As the municipality, we would like to put it on record and provide clarity on the false allegations regarding a tender involving a call centre, which was approved by the council. We can categorically confirm that, a public tender was advertised for prospecting service providers on 2 September 2021.
“Yes, tender is estimated to the tune of R38 million, but is for a period of three years. The bid was advertised for 30 days as prescribed by Section 22 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), where Wcyber Solutions company was appointed by the then acting Municipal Manager, Collen Colane,” said Motlhasedi.
He further said, the Supply Chain Management (SCM) tender processes were followed in awarding the tender and the establishment of the structure was implemented in compliance with the mandate of the North West Provincial Government (NWPG), North West Department of Corporative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) back in 2016.
Motlhasedi added that, the call centre will serve as a Service Delivery Management Centre, Information Dissemination Centre, Disaster Management Centre and an Anti-Corruption & Fraud Hotline.
“Furthermore, the call centre was established to expand the operation of the reception services of calls at the Fire and Disaster offices. The service provider in question is meant to equip the call centre with modern ICT services with technical radios linked to all fire stations and vehicles to ensure the effective response to all service delivery issues in the district for 24 hours a day.
“The municipality’s old call centre, which focused on fire and disaster, was inadequate to accommodate 10 new operators at a time. So, the structure erected, was installed by the service provider at a no fee and intended to create adequate space,” he said.
Motlhasedi said it should be emphasised that, the municipality only paid an amount of R 5.7 million up to so far. He said the budget includes operation, maintenance, Human Resource, insurance and training breakdown.
“Though, it has been four months since the service provider not being paid as there are invoices that have not yet been signed to date. The employees who work at the centre have not been reporting to duty due to non-payment of their salaries. However, the call centre remains active.
“Currently, the Municipal Manager is intervening on resolving the payment issues between the municipality and the service provider. The so-called “whistle-blower” proven himself to be a person, who is dishonest and an unreliable character who is not to be trusted as he is making use of his personal vendettas to cause conflict within the municipality with his baseless and unsubstantiated rumours,” said Motlhasedi.
He alleged that, the ‘whistle-blower’ has been interdicted from participating in activities of the council by his political party due to allegations of corruption and fraud levelled against him.
Meanwhile, the North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs is set to hold an oversight meeting with the municipality over the allegations at Committee Room 2 on Friday at 12pm.
The Guardian 