Share

Tshwane Metro pays R10/pencil - report

Johannesburg - The Tshwane Metro is paying too much for goods in order to benefit certain providers, Beeld reported on Wednesday.

Orders on Tshwane's internal SAP computer system revealed that the metro's purchasing department was not paying anything close to market-related prices for stock, the newspaper said.

This despite Tshwane's mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa's recent undertaking during his budget speech to ensure that the metro focused on measures to give residents value for money. In an internal memo, chief purchaser Silas Mashaba told buyers "not to worry about prices, but make sure there is stock", the newspaper reported.

On June 5, five 40mm galvanised pipes were ordered at a cost of R21 600, or R4 320 a pipe.

According to Beeld, the same pipe could be purchased for R439 at Plumblink in Garsfontein. On June 18, the metro placed an order for 1200 Staedtler Tradition HB pencils at R10 a pencil, when three of the same pencils could be bought at PicknPay for R14,99.

On June 14, the metro placed an order for 80 steel-handled garden spades at a cost of R250 each when similar spades could be bought at most hardware stores for between R130 and R140. The names of the providers and their vendor numbers were known to Beeld.

An anonymous, senior official in the purchasing department reportedly said certain suppliers were blatantly given preference.

"The price at which stock is purchased, is just a side issue. The bigger issue is with whom the municipality does business."

According to Beeld, Tshwane Metro spokesperson Blessing Manale said purchasing departments usually considered the lowest price, but also looked at other factors such as reliable supply chains, products comparisons and quality.

He also said he could not confirm Mashaba's memo.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.02
-0.6%
Rand - Pound
24.01
-0.5%
Rand - Euro
20.53
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.6%
Platinum
900.50
+0.4%
Palladium
1,002.25
+0.1%
Gold
2,211.80
+0.8%
Silver
24.62
-0.1%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,080
+0.6%
All Share
74,278
+0.5%
Resource 10
56,967
+2.4%
Industrial 25
103,572
+0.3%
Financial 15
16,456
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders