Speaker, die ANC verwelkom die ondersoek deur die Openbare Beskermer na die toekenning van 'n vroere kommunikasietender deur die kantoor van die Wes-Kaapse Premier, Helen Zille.
Bykomend tot die bevindinge van die Wes-Kaap se provinsiale tesourier - dat die verkrygingsproses 'n gebrek aan beheermaatrels en goeie bestuursbeginsels openbaar - het dit ook aan die lig gekom dat die premier se spesiale raadgewer, Ryan Coetzee, 'n lid was van die tenderbeoordelingskomitee en sodoende met die administrasie van die departement ingemeng het. Sy rol in die komitee is teenstrydig met die rels wat in die ministerile handboek vervat word en wat aandui dat die spesiale raadgewer sy of haar insette aan die uitvoerende owerheid moet rig, en hom of haar moet weerhou van inmenging in die administrasie en die bestuur van die departement.
Die kansellering van tenders op drie vorige geleenthede voor die toekenning daarvan toon nouliks omsigtigheid - soos aangedui deur die premier - maar toon eerder wat die provinsiale tesourier beskryf as 'n duidelike aanduiding van onvoldoende aanvraagbeplanningsprosedures, asook 'n gebrek aan kennis en vaardighede ten opsigte van voorsieningskettingbestuur, wat nodig is om die proses te verwesenlik.
In sy geheel gelees, onthul die verslag van die Wes-Kaap se provinsiale tesourier die baie gebreke wat binne die Wes-Kaap se provinsiale regering sigbaar is. Die ANC dring aan op 'n volledige en omvattende ondersoek na die toekenning van hierdie tender. [Applous.] (Translation of Afrikaans member's statement follows.)
[Mrs L N MOSS (ANC): Speaker, the ANC welcomes the investigation by the Public Protector with regard to a previous communication tender that was awarded by the office of the Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille.
Additional to the findings of the Western Cape's provincial treasury - that the procurement process is revealing a lack of control measures and good management principles - it has also come to light that the premier's special adviser, Ryan Coetzee, has been a member of the tender review committee, and, as such, has interfered in the administration of the department. His role in the committee is contrary to the rules contained in the Ministerial Handbook, stipulating that the special advisor must direct his or her inputs at the executive authority, and must refrain from interfering in the administration and management of the department.
The cancellation of tenders on three previous occasions before they were awarded, does not show circumspection - as indicated by the premier - but rather demonstrates what the provincial treasury describes as a clear indication of inadequate procurement planning procedures, as well as a lack of knowledge and skills in respect of supply chain management that is necessary to implement the process.
Read in its entirety, the report of the Western Cape's provincial treasury reveals the many flaws that exist within the Western Cape provincial legislature. The ANC demands a full and comprehensive investigation into the awarding of this tender. [Applause.]]