By REGINALD KANYANE
12 November 2025- The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality has refuted allegations that the COIDA certificate of HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD that was awarded Bid No. RDM2024-008A for Kagisano Molopo Regional Bulk Water Scheme: Cluster 6 – Morokweng Contract A worth approximately R111 million was expired. The Municipal Manager of the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Itumeleng Jonas said the COIDA Certificate of HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD was valid at the time of appointment as verified on the system.
He further said, so it is not factually correct that HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD’s COIDA certificate was expired at the time the tender was submitted. Jonas added that it is true that he requested HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD to submit a valid COIDA certificate within seven days after the awarding of the tender and there is nothing unprocedural about that because it is legislated.
“It is a common cause that HT Pelatona’s COIDA certificate was valid at the time the tender was submitted. No company was disqualified for having an expired COIDA. Also, it is not true that during the briefing for the said tender, it was mentioned that no company will get more than one allocation in this cluster of projects.
“There is no such clause or line item in relation to the appointment on more than one project in the tender documents that were approved and subsequently advertised,” he said.
Jonas also refuted allegations that there were arithmetic errors calculated and companies were never notified of those errors they committed before awarding them of the tender of going to the next stage of evaluation. He said Clause 3.9 on the last line item is very clear.
“It says notify a tenderer upon written request received after the closing date of tenders of all arithmetical errors made by that particular tenderer. In this instance, there was no written request received by the municipality to necessitate the notification of arithmetical errors. No irregularity was thus committed as insinuated.
“The allegations that the acting Senior Manager refused to sign minutes of any bid committee meeting citing his unhappiness of awarding any contract to a company with expired COIDA is a foreign procedure to the tender process as minutes are only signed by the Chairperson. The Senior Manager concerned gave his dissenting views, which could not have precluded the signing of the minutes by the Chairperson,” said Jonas.
Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Thapelo Phokoje said a whistle blower alleged that HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD, submitted an expired COIDA certificate on 31 May 2025, and Jonas issued a condition on the appointment letter to HT Pelatona Projects (PTY) LTD to submit a valid COIDA within 7 days of having received the appointment letter.
Phokoje said their role as councillors, while distinct from the executive functions, are integral to the democratic governance of the municipality. He said their responsibilities included representing community interests, ensuring that the diverse needs and concerns of our wards and communities are heard and addressed in council decisions and the integrated Development plan (IDP).
“This includes oversight and accountability. Our roles are to exercise robust oversight over the executive, the administration and municipal entities to ensure transparency, accountability, and the prudent use of public resources. We are actively participating in the creation and review of by-laws and policies that facilitate sustainable service delivery and local development.
“The current challenges facing the municipality require a united, responsive and accountable approach. We must work together and rise above political divisions and focus on our core constitutional obligation, which is to ensure sustainable, effective and efficient municipal services and promote social and economic development for all residents.
The Guardian 