Tshwane City's Tender Tango: A Dance of Incompetence and Delay

Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief of The Azanian

The City of Tshwane's procurement woes have reached a boiling point, with the latest debacle being the seemingly endless delay in appointing a panel of attorneys for general legal work and recoveries for a three-year period. This tender, which opened in January this year, has been extended three times, with various law firms expressing frustration and disappointment at the city's snail-paced adjudication process.

The tender, valued at millions of rand, is crucial for the city's legal affairs, as it will enable the municipality to appoint a panel of attorneys to provide legal services on a range of matters, including litigation, contract management, and debt recovery. However, despite the importance of this tender, the city has failed to appoint a panel of attorneys, opting instead to extend the tender multiple times.

According to sources, the city's Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC) has been struggling to finalize the evaluation process, citing various reasons, including the need for additional documentation and the complexity of the bids. However, this has raised concerns about the city's ability to manage its procurement processes effectively.

"We are extremely disappointed with the delay in the adjudication process," said a director at a prominent law firm that participated in the tender. "We have been waiting for months, and the city's lack of progress is not only frustrating but also unprofessional. It's clear that the city is not taking this process seriously."

The delays have also raised concerns about the potential impact on the city's legal affairs. With no panel of attorneys in place, the city may be forced to rely on more expensive and less effective legal services, which could ultimately cost taxpayers more money.

The city's spokesperson, Samkelo Mgobozi, and Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya's office have failed to respond to The Azanian's questions despite being given enough time to respond.

The Azanian's investigation into the City of Tshwane's tender process has raised more questions than answers. Is the city's leadership incompetent, or is there more to the story? The lack of transparency and communication has led to speculation about potential corruption and favoritism.

The City of Tshwane needs to get its procurement processes in order, and fast. The taxpayers of Tshwane deserve better.