– Hawks investigate alleged intimidation of an MMSEZ Board member by a Limpopo ANC leader in connection with the awarding of a R99.3 million construction contract.
– The DA calls for the MMSEZ Board and LEDET to account before the LEDET Portfolio Committee.
– Board members must be able to exercise independent judgement free from political interference, intimidation or undue influence.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo will call for the Board of the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ) and the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET) to account before the LEDET Portfolio Committee. This follows disturbing reports that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, is investigating allegations that a MMSEZ Board member was intimidated by a leader of the ANC in Limpopo in connection with the awarding of a R99.3 million construction contract to Tshiamiso Trading 135 (Pty) Ltd, of which Hlamani Bruce Mohlaba is the sole director.
While the Hawks’ investigation must be allowed to proceed without interference, these allegations are extremely serious. Board members of public entities have a fiduciary duty to exercise independent judgement, protect public resources and act in the best interests of the entity. They cannot be expected to fulfil those duties if concerns regarding procurement are allegedly met with intimidation or threats, particularly where the alleged conduct involves a leader of the ANC in Limpopo.
Reports indicate that the successful bidder and its sole director have previously been associated with several incomplete, halted or disputed public infrastructure projects. These reportedly include a previous MMSEZ roads and stormwater contract, a halted road contract in Makhado Local Municipality, and a Greater Tzaneen Municipality tender award that was declared unlawful by the High Court.
It has further been reported that several Board members raised objections to the appointment of the successful bidder, citing concerns regarding its previous project performance and aspects of the procurement process before the contract was approved.
Viewed in isolation, these allegations are deeply troubling. Viewed within the broader context of the MMSEZ, they are even more concerning.
For several years, the MMSEZ has been dogged by controversy relating to governance, procurement, implementation delays and project management. Concerns have repeatedly been raised regarding transparency, decision-making processes, environmental compliance, the management of major infrastructure projects, and allegations of corruption surrounding one of Limpopo’s largest public investment initiatives.
The latest allegations reinforce the need for urgent legislative oversight into governance within the MMSEZ. The Portfolio Committee must satisfy itself that proper procurement processes were followed in relation to this contract, that Board members are able to discharge their fiduciary duties free from intimidation or undue influence, and that appropriate governance controls remain in place to safeguard public funds and protect the integrity of what should be one of the province’s most strategic projects.
The DA will continue to exercise robust oversight over the MMSEZ, expose any corruption or wrongdoing, and insist that its governance and implementation are clean, transparent and free from corruption.
The people of Limpopo deserve and expect nothing less.