1. The Department registered a PPP project with the National Treasury on the 14th of January 2020. The Project is allocated reference N138. The National Treasury through the Government Technical Advisory Component (GTAC) has been providing support and guidance to the Department.
2. Please provide us with evidence that there is lack of political will. The Department had already appointed a service provider (24 May 2022) through an open bidding process (Kelotlhoko Consulting Services) as a transaction advisor to conduct a feasibility study and PPP procurement for VISA and permit application centre services through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) for a period of three years. This appointment was part of the requirements of the PPP model. However, it came to the attention of the Department that the appointed service provider was convicted of money laundering under Case No 111/40/2022 at the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in that Mr Kgatitsoe (the owner) submitted fake invoices to the Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality and the Department followed a process to cancel the contract. The Department has successfully cancelled the contract and will be commencing with a new competitive process to replace this contract. All service providers will be provided with an equal opportunity through the PPP process.
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