Mpho Dube - The rot is deeper than suspected or recently exposed. The official opposition in the provincial legislature, the Congress of the People (Cope) is calling for President Jacob Zuma’s office to investigate alleged corruption in Limpopo’s provincial administration. Cope this week submitted letters of complaint to the Public Service Commission, Special Investigation Unit (SIU), Public Protector, Premier Cassel Mathale’s Office and the Presidency. The party is complaining about tender irregularities and favouritism in local municipalities and recruitment practices in the Department of Health and Social Development. Cope leader and Member of the Legislature, Mr Solly Mkhatshwa said the decision to call for a forensic audit of supply chain management or procurement in the municipalities following allegations that African National Congress Youth League (Ancyl) President Julius Malema benefited from tenders of R140 million. “We are deeply disturbed by the Limpopo Provincial Government’s response that they are not going to act on this matter because they never received complaints from anybody,” Mkhatshwa said. “This don’t care attitude is a reflection of the extent of contempt with which they treat not only the electorate in this province but even their responsibilities of looking after the public resources.” The municipalities identified by Cope as in need of investigation are Greater Tzaneen, Greater Letaba, Greater Mopani District, Lepelle Nkumbi, Vhembe District, Makhado, Waterberg District, Mutale and Greater Sekhukhune District. “The forensic audit should not only concentrate on much talked about companies like SLG Consulting Projects and its subsidiaries, but should cover all companies which have provided services to these municipalities because we believe the rot is much deeper than what has been exposed,” Mkhatshwa said. “The overwhelming evidence which has come out proves what we have been suspecting, namely that the contracts and tenders were awarded illegally. We understand that certain companies are not Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) compliant yet were awarded the tenders, whilst those who were complaint were denied the opportunity.”