The North West Public Works Department has landed in hot water for illegally and fraudulently paying R114 million to a consulting engineers company.

The money was meant for the refurbishment of 33 roads in the North West.

The funds were paid in March 2017, without following due tender processes.

The Department appeared before Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) in Mahikeng, but could not account for its spending.

 

Scopa member Wendy Matsemela says the company did not have the necessary skills. “I think in this province there is an abuse of treasury regulation, because there is no difference between Amayah and Mediosa.”

Scopa’s Boitumelo Moiloa says, “In health they pre-paid R30 million, you paid R103 million pre-paid, and yet you’re coming to us today reporting this under-performance.”

The Department failed to produce several documents and evidence requested and will appear before Scopa again next week.