The R255 million worth project once again raised eyebrows on Tuesday when Asbestos Expert, Jacobus Roets, testified that the cost of the project was "exorbitantly high". Coupled with this, he told the commission the report prepared by Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Trading joint-venture for the assessment, audit, and eradication of asbestos roofs in the province was ineffective. He said the companies failed to give a clear indication of how much asbestos there was per house or unit nor the extent of the risk it posed to the occupants of the houses.

In his response to questions by Adv. Paul Pretorius SC, Roets told the commission the report dated 2 February 2015 was "not of much use for such a big project" as it lacked basic details such as how many houses were involved, how long the project was going to take, nor the equipment that was going to be used for the assessment and removal of the asbestos material.

OFM News on Tuesday reported that Roets testimony before the Zondo Commission came just months after the Free State Human Settlements Department came under fire following a damning report by the Public Protector.

In a report released in May, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, found the department guilty of improper conduct involving this asbestos housing contract awarded to the two Gauteng-based companies. Mkhwebane outlined that the provincial department participated in an expired contract of the Gauteng Human Settlements Department, and failed to conduct a due diligence investigation before participating in this contract. She said the province was in possession of the Gauteng Department's Service Legal Agreement, which had expired, and went ahead to pay the service provider an amount of R139 million despite the Auditor-General having declared the procurement as irregular as early as July 31 in 2015.

She said their findings also indicated that the service provider had subcontracted the contract at a fee of just over R21 million, while the service provider walked away with R230 million.

The commission is expected to resume at 10 am.

OFM News