13 Jul 2014

No food rations tenders were allocated to large wholesalers during the financial years 2012/13 and 2013/15 in the Tutume Sub-district, Parliament has been told.

Responding to a question, Assistant Minister of Local Government, Ms Botlhogile Tshireletso said the tendering process in the sub district is aimed at implementing government’s Citizen Economic Empowerment policy as the tenders are reserved for suppliers within the sub district.

Ms Tshireletso said preference in awarding these tenders is given to suppliers within the village. 

She said this was in accordance with the Local Authorities Public and Asset Disposal (LAPAD) Act for district councils.

“Tenders have been awarded to small general dealers including tuck shops in order to empower them,” she said.

Furthermore, Ms Tshireletso clarified that the current running tenders have taken into consideration the Citizen Economic Policy targeting small businesses.

She said the tendering process caters for the small general dealers as they are existing in the villages and they are given preference prior to considering their small general dealers in the sub district.

Ms Tshireletso was responding to a question asked by Tonota North MP, Mr Fidelis Molao who had wanted to know why tenders to supply food rations and other amenities to government institutions such as schools in the Tutume Sub-District were allocated to large wholesalers for the financial year 2012/13 and 2013/14.

Mr Molao also wanted to know whether this turn of events does not fly in the face of the government’s Citizen Economic Empowerment policy when it comes to small business people who operate small general dealers and tuck-shops in the sub district.

He also asked if the minister can commit to correct the unfair practice of opening tender processes for small general dealers to compete with large wholesalers. ENDS