Lesetja Malope

A recent internal audit report on the Gateway Airport Authority Limited’s (Gaal) Polokwane Intenational Airport (PIA) has revealed that about 11 companies have been awarded tenders, said to be worth millions, without producing tax clearance certificates and their entity registration numbers in the last financial year.

The independently conducted report of which Polokwane Observer has a copy, also showed that in several instances the three quotations system was not followed and in a single instance not even one was acquired.

It also revealed that there was insufficient motivation for a R2,6 million bid awarded to the company which did not score the highest points, four other companies were awarded bids beyond the required 90 days and various other non-compliances with aviation regulations and aviation legislation.

PIA Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms Shirley Mahanyele dismissed all the allegations as blatant lies and said whoever was interested in Gaal affairs was free to approach them and scrutinise as they wished.

"At Gaal we follow procedures and regulations properly. Whoever says that must come to the office. We will give them access to all the documents and they can see for themselves," she said.