This, as the report is allegedly in its preliminary stages and further investigations have been recommended. The acting City Manager (CM), Sello More, tells OFM News that "the indication is that the findings may not necessarily be entirely accurate, (and) it's important to allow the affected parties to make their inputs".

More's utterance comes after the Internal Audit Division found that the company which was awarded the tender for the uniform should have been disqualified and that the tender process contravened the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Previously, the National Treasury Department sent a letter to More, among others, and warned about the establishment of the metro police unit.

The Internal Audit Division's report, which looked into the validity and lawfulness of the procurement of this uniform, has found it to be flawed and irregular. It says the company which was awarded the tender should have been disqualified and never received a tender. The report says the company should have been disqualified for not submitting prices on all items and delivery and despite this, the same company received the highest order during the initial procurement, worth R3,7 million, whilst others received R1,7 million and R600 000.

The Internal Audit Division has made recommendations that, based on the findings and conclusions, the matter should be referred to the municipality's Financial Misconduct Disciplinary Board for further investigation, according to the provisions of the Municipal Regulations on Finance Misconduct procedures and criminal proceedings.

Amongst the non-compliance, the division found that there was non-compliance with the supply chain management policy (deviation) and the company awarded the tender, did not meet the minimum requirements of the bid specifications. The metro's police uniform procurement also contravened section 217 of the constitution.

It said that if the suspicions that Irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure took place, the matter should be reported in an ensuing, ordinary council meeting. It is also said that following that compliant to the council, the ordinary council seating should not be more than three months apart. The report was allegedly done in August 2021. However in a reply to OFM News' questions, More adds that "I received a report by internal audit on the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). I have shared the report with affected parties as they did not get a chance to affirm or deny the findings. The report shall be finalised around the 15th of February, it's then that we shall share it with both the internal as well as external stakeholders".

OFM News