THE SOUTH African Tourism has disputed allegations of tender irregularity.
This week City Press, reported that SAT was involved in awarding tender worth R100m to a company that did not meet requirements, amongst others.
At the center is the hosting of annual trade events -Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba, respectively.
The department allegedly awarded a R100 million rand tender to a company that failed to show proof of experience, and which provided false and misleading information in its bid.
As a result the matter is before court.
In its defence, SAT says the article contains several factual inaccuracies and claims that are neither truthful, accurate nor fair.
The press release from the agency further states:” At no stage has SA Tourism “denied the existence of reports” in court papers. As part of Rule 53 (1) of the Uniform Rules, SA Tourism filed a court record which included the report by Abacus, as well as queries by Chapu. The assertion that SA Tourism “deposed an affidavit denying the reports” is false.”
It continued: “No such affidavit has been filed by SA Tourism in the review court proceedings. To date, SA Tourism has in terms of the provisions of Rule 53(1) of the Uniform Rules, filed comprehensive documents of the record of its decision to cancel the tenders.
SA Tourism has not filed any affidavit in the review court proceedings. Therefore, the assertion in the article is fundamentally incorrect and misleading.”
“The article falsely claims that the Abacus report found that the evaluation process “was compromised to favour Pomme Express.” On the contrary, the Abacus report explicitly concluded:
“We conclude that there was no indication that any bidder was being favoured or that any BEC member attempted to steer a particular outcome.”
Similarly, City Press inaccurately attributes findings by the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) regarding specific bidders.
The press release went further:” This statement is false. The SA Tourism BAC never adjudicated the tenders, and therefore could not have made such findings.
The record demonstrates instead that the BAC passed a resolution to cancel the tenders based on probity concerns. We reject any insinuation of a “cover-up” or impropriety.”
Minister of Tourism Patricia De Lille, through her department, says no tender worth R100 million was awarded.
It further emphasised that the countries tourism is commissioned by two independent firms who conduct a probity and forensic review of all tender processes.
“Their findings were received, reviewed and informed internal consequence management actions. I have been informed by the South African Tourism that the cost of both audits were less than R1 million.”
Meanwhile, our sources confirmed this matter is far from over, and opposition party DA, will request meeting with the minister for answers on the allegations.
Image SLM (No laughing matter. National Tourism minister Patricia De Lille, says no company was awarded R100m tender).
