R1.8bn fire contract winner lacks skills yet keeps old operator

The Kishugu Group has entered into an agreement with Tefla Group, despite concerns over the company's perceived lack of skills and equipment, to manage a Working on Fire contract valued at more than R1.8 billion. Kishugu Group, which has overseen South Africa's largest veld fire-fighting programme for over two decades, lost out to Tefla in the latest bid but has opted to maintain key operations during the transition period.

According to a statement, Kishugu Aviation will continue to provide aerial firefighting services, while Kishugu Fleet Solutions will manage the ground fleet, Kishugu Training will maintain its training programmes, and Working on Fire, a subsidiary of Kishugu Group, will retain management of the programme under Tefla's management of the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment contract.

The agreement aims to ensure continuity during the transition, with Kishugu aiming to secure a long-term deal with Tefla to provide services until the end of the department contract period. The department of forestry, fisheries and the environment is not aware of any subcontracting agreement between Tefla and Kishugu, but it confirmed that Tefla's bid included an intention to subcontract to designated groups as required by the advertised terms of reference.

Civil rights organisation AfriForum is investigating procurement records to determine if Tefla's lack of expertise, personnel, equipment, and operational capacity were factors in the selection process, as aerial firefighting and wildfire management require specialized technical expertise and resources.