Gauteng's Bid Automation Plan: Addressing Corruption or Lip Service?

• The Gauteng Provincial government is reportedly working on an automated bid adjudication process to reduce tender rigging
• Finance MEC Lebogang Maile said the process would also create transparency and ensure contracts are awarded based on merit
• Many South Africans weren’t convinced by the plan, with some stating that some leaders could tamper with the process

Zingisa Chirwa is an experienced Briefly News journalist based in Johannesburg, South Africa, who has covered current affairs on the radio for over 15 years.

Many South Africans weren’t convinced that an automated bid adjudication process would be the answer to tender rigging.

Gauteng plans on automated bid process

The Gauteng government announced it was working on an automated system to reduce corruption.

Read also

Joburg mayor calls for thorough investigation into forensic investigator's assassination

According to EWN, Finance MEC Lebogang Maile said the automated process would also create transparency in tender awarding and ensure contracts are awarded based on merit. Maile told the media on 14 July 2024 that the provincial government was committed to transforming its supplier base and awarding contracts to new players.

“We will also look at the possibility of automating our procurement systems so we limit the interference of humans because when there are humans involved that is when fraud and corruption happens.”

Mzansi, unconvinced by the automated system

Many social media users didn’t believe the computerised process would solve the alleged bid rigging.

@KeithMutch said:

“All tenders will now go directly to @Lesufi computer to be distributed to BBEEE and AA black mates who will buy him R28 million house and cars. That's how it works now.”

@Island_Tribe17 added:

“Automation will achieve nothing when the input stage of the process will be rigged. Regardless, it's still a good move to embrace technology.”

Read also

Gauteng: Suspects linked to ATM bombings scheduled for Palm Ridge Court

@Nembulungwa pointed out:

“As long as the HOD can still deviate, you are playing.”

@KING_GANCA commented:

“Lies, lies, lies... Keep falling for them clever blacks.”

@Muneiwadiesel stated:

“ANC leaders have great ideas and policies to move our country forward but the biggest problem is that they can’t be trusted because of their track record when it comes to stealing.”

Ex-SANDF general facing R2.2m fraud charges

Briefly News reported that the NPA said more arrests were imminent in the R2.2 billion tender fraud deal involving a SANDF Brigadier-General.

The accused, Eddy Modlane, and Phomolo Enterprises director Charles Mwali, appeared before the court on 19 April 2024.

The pair were granted R10,000 and R5,000 bail, respectively, and the case was postponed to 17 July 2024.

Source: Briefly News