AMABHUNGANE: R31m mobile vet clinics deal leaves government with nothing
A R31-million deal for mobile veterinary clinics has left the government with no completed buses more than a decade later, amid alleged procurement failures, missed safeguards and a stalled legal battle with the supplier. Despite warnings from auditors, millions were paid upfront without proper protections, leaving taxpayers with little to show for the project.
A R31-million government contract for mobile veterinary clinics, awarded to Centurion Bus Manufacturers (CBM) in July 2015, has left taxpayers with little to show for the decade-long delays and irregularities. The deal never materialized as CBM has delivered not a single bus of the seven promised. Despite auditors warning of suspicious bidding practices and irregular contract execution, the government paid millions upfront without proper safeguards.
Lawyers representing CBM claim a pending lawsuit involving the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) hinders their ability to respond, classifying the issues as "sub judice." Investigations by the Auditor-General and amaBhungane, a South African investigative journalism group, reveal the bid award process was marred by questionable dealings and delays.
The department's deputy director-general for Agricultural Production, Health and Food Safety, Mooketsa Ramasodi, played a central role in the contract award process and has since risen to become the director-general. The Auditor-General's reports highlighted Ramasodi's involvement on multiple committees but disputed claims that he chaired the final bid adjudication committee.
The bid evaluation committee, chaired by Ramasodi, failed to identify collusion, as all other bidders were disqualified, leaving CBM as the sole compliant bidder. The Auditor-General had previously raised concerns about potential collusive tendering, recommending the Competition Commission investigate. However, seven years after the contract's failure, there remains no tangible outcome, leaving taxpayers with little to demonstrate for the costly deal.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
