28 Feb 2018

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale says he was not aware that the Tutume District tender committee had awarded all tenders to only one person in almost all schools.

Mr Molale said what he was aware of was that a number of companies were awarded tenders to supply schools by the Tutume District tender committee.

He said 60 companies had been awarded different tenders to supply 26 schools, adding that he could not say with any degree of certainty that there had been acts of corruption or maladministration.

Minister Molale, however, said from the information provided, there were worrying trends where two companies had been awarded to supply six schools, one company awarded to supply seven schools, and three companies awarded to supply nine, 10 and 11 schools each while the rest were awarded to supply one or two schools each.

In view of the information provided, he said his ministry did not consider setting up a commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations.

He, however, advised Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Polson Majaga, who had asked the question, to report any corruption that he was aware of to the relevant authorities.

Minister Molale said in future it was advisable for the MP to quietly relay such information to the relevant authorities because when questions were publicly asked it could prejudice any potential investigations that could ensue.
The minister, however, said he would pass the matter to the DCEC for further action.

Mr Majaga had asked if the minister was aware of acts of corruption and maladministration in the Tutume District tender committee in which tenders were not properly allocated to the community as there was an element of bribery.
He had also asked if the minister was aware that tenders were not properly allocated, and that only one person was allocated all tenders in nearly all the schools, and there being a delay as the company in question had a lot of workload.
Mr Majaga further wanted to know if the minister would set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the issues. ENDS