Mpho Dube
Emerging entrepreneurs known as the Forum of Limpopo Entrepreneurs are demanding a forensic audit on the allocation of RDP houses and distribution of food parcels from the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa).
They also called for a forensic audit on the appointment of the Project Management Unit (PMU) from Roads and Transport Department.
Talk of war was heard during during the march and it is clear the knives are out for African National Congress (ANC)Youth League (Ancyl) President Julius Malema and his allies. This follows widespread allegations that Malema is controlling the province’s tendering processes.
While taking to the streets of Polokwane last Friday to demonstrate their anger and frustration to Premier Cassel Mathale, Malema’s close ally, Jacob Lebogo was fingered for presenting provincial departments with a list of companies that should not be awarded tenders. Lebogo, the Regional Secretary of Ancyl’s Peter Mokaba Region, dismissed the allegations as propaganda, pure lies and being farfetched during a media briefing held by Ancyl at the regional office.
Aggrieved businesspersons said they are loyal supporters of the ruling party and its government who participated actively and with passion to mobilise voters for the ANC during the elections campaigns with no expectation of special favours.
But, they alleged, the new administration is overlooking them because of individuals who go around boasting that they are in charge of allocating tenders and positions in the administration because of their proximity to the ANC leadership.
They further said there are allegations of corruption in government which includes regular cancelling of advertised tenders, flouting of supply chain regulations and intimidation of supply chain officials.
The widely rumoured protest march was planned last week Monday afternoon by the discontent group who gathered at the Peter Mokaba Stadium parking lot.
Public Works MEC George Phadagi and Provincial Treasury MEC Sa’ad Cachalia accepted the memorandum of the Forum of Limpopo Entrepreneurs on behalf of Premier Mathale.
Reading the memorandum on behalf on the forum, businessman, Mr Koti Mokoalakoala said: "An elite group of friends who call themselves friends of the leadership call us names and tell us that this is their time to eat. Our companies are blacklisted from doing business with government departments and municipalities.
"There must be an open and transparent distribution of procurement opportunities in Limpopo with preference given to local entrepreneurs. There must also be protection of procurement officials from pressure and intimidation by politicians from within and outside institutions."
Mathale’s administration was given 21 days to respond and Phadagi promised that he would deliver the memorandum to the Premier.