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Alleged R25.8m tender scandal 'deplorable'

Johannesburg - Claims of tender irregularity against the mining qualifications and training authority (MQA) are deplorable, according to Sean Jones, a director of the Artisan Training Institute (ATI).

The MQA is also facing claims of conflict of interest and flouting of good governance principles relating to a company linked to a board member being awarded a R25.8m tender contract to train artisans.

Jones said the scandal has impacted the MQA’s credibility.

”The MQA is given money by government to train artisans and, in so doing, to add to the growth of the economy," said Jones.

"When this kind of thing happens, questions have to be raised about the organisation’s veracity and its ability to fulfill its mandate.”

The contract for a pilot project was given to the Witbank-based Colliery Training College. One of the company’s directors is Johan Venter, who is an employer representative on the MQA's board.

The aim of the MQA, which was allocated R250m this year by the government, is to provide health and safety, employment equity and productivity in training.

According to the report, a service level agreement exists, which Venter and MQA’s chief executive, Sam Seepei, signed in September.

“Venter sits on the board, so naturally he knows the MQA intimately. He recused himself when the board was discussing the contract, but this, in itself, is not enough," said Jones.

“Another issue is that the tender was not advertised according to protocol, which states that tenders over R300 000 should be advertised. This is a blatant case of dereliction of duty – and it is indeed a very sad day for the industry.”

- Fin24

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