NATIONAL COUNCIL OF PROVINCES
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION 38
DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 21 August 2009
INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 8 of 2009
Mr M J R de Villiers (DA-WC) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:
(1) Whether any progress has been made with regard to the Smart ID card
tender process; if not, (a) why not and (b) what is the status of the
tender process; if so,
(i) what are the details in respect of each bidder, (ii) to whom was
the tender awarded (iii) what is the value of the tender and (iv) what
are the details of the successful bidder in respect of the tender;
2) what are the (a) commencement and (b) completion dates for the
process?
CW50E
REPLY
(1)&(2) No. The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) managed the
Smart ID Card tender process, on behalf of the Department of Home
Affairs. The Department was advised by SITA, in April 2009, that
a forensic audit of the tender process was being carried out to
investigate possible irregularities. As at the end of August
2009, the Department had not been advised of the outcome of the
forensic audit. The Department has, since, cancelled the tender,
and requested National Treasury to start the tender process,
afresh. It is, still, hoped that the tender will be evaluated,
and awarded during the 2009/10 financial year.