Mkhwebane says in her 2020 report that there is no tangible evidence that proves the service provider – Cherry Ikamva Juggernaut JV – owned in part by Free State media maven, Tumi Ntsele, was irregularly awarded the over R84,5 million project.  

Initial media reports alleged Magashule had used his influence to award the project to his friend, Ntsele. Not only does Mkhwebane say there is no evidence of this, but she goes on to say that she cannot, at this stage, determine if the near R100 million website was, in fact, value for money.

According to Mkhwebane, no value for money audit was conducted on the project and the website. The project ceased when the funds got exhausted. Owing to this and submissions made by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the Free State Provincial Government at the time, the Public Protector couldn’t make a determination on whether value for money was derived from this project. Therefore, one of her recommendations is that the provincial government must conduct a value for money audit, within 30 days of the report being released. It’s unknown at this stage if this audit has since been conducted. 

The only “anomalies” that Mkhwebane identified, related to the conduct of the supply chain management officials and members of the bid committees in the provincial government. She has recommended that said officials must undergo training on procurement policies.

The Sowetan was the first to report on the alleged irregularity and alleged that the website cost R140 million, resulting in public outcry.

OFM News