Central SA
Public Protector issues a report on Bfn businessman─── KATLEHO MORAPELA 12:44 Thu, 22 Jul 2021
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has acquitted Bloemfontein-based businessman Ben Moseme with regards to an alleged irregular tender.
Mkhwebane, in an investigative report over Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) awarded by the National Department of Transport, found Moseme not guilty of any irregularities. This, after Mkhwebane investigated the department in connection with the awarding of a contract to Moseme’s company and other service providers for the supply of PPEs.
She, in a report, says an anonymous complaint was received by her department in August 2020 relating to corruption and conflict of interest arising from the contract. The complainant alleged supply chain procurement procedures were contravened and a contract worth R80 million was awarded due to Moseme’s close allies with the Director-General of the Department, Alec Moemi.
The complainant further argued that it was irregular that C-Squared Consumer Connectedness was appointed to be a service provider whilst its offices are based in Bloemfontein. Mkhwebane, in her report, however, says the allegations are not substantiated. She says evidence indicates that whilst the contract was based on an emergency procurement, it fell within the prescripts of the law and that Moseme’s company was eligible as it has a footprint in Bloemfontein, Honeydew, Gauteng and a satellite office at Green Point in Cape Town.
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