• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Politics

Opposition in Cape Town want heads to roll over SIU report into Strandfontein camp

27 January 2022, 6:15 PM  |
Thandiswa Mawu Thandiswa Mawu |  @SABCNews
A car approaches the gate to exit the Strandfontein camp  in Cape Town.

A car approaches the gate to exit the Strandfontein camp in Cape Town.

Image: SABC

A car approaches the gate to exit the Strandfontein camp in Cape Town.

Opposition parties in the City of Cape Town are calling for heads to roll following a Special Investigating Unit  (SIU) report fingering the city for irregular procurement to the tune of about R42 million. The money was used for hiring tents to shelter homeless people at the Strandfontein camp during Level-5 of the COVID-19 lockdown.

The SIU released its report following investigations of irregular procurement of personal protective equipment at the outbreak of COVID- 19 in 2020.

Hundreds of the homeless were moved to Strandfontein at the outbreak of the virus in March 2020. The SIU found that the procurement of the tents and other services was not fair, equitable, or cost-effective and therefore must be set aside.

The city approved a contract for the hiring of tents with Downing Marquee Hiring apparently without following due tender processes. Leader of the GOOD Party in the Western Cape, Brett Herron, says it was a disastrous process which he highlighted from the beginning.

“There should be consequences for this, the DA must demonstrate accountability and good governance and heads must roll. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis needs to fire the MMC for Safety and Security JP Smith who set up the camp using his disaster management department and championed the camp as a solution. The City Manager and CFO need to be reported to the council and they need to be investigated for their role in approving an obviously excessive amount for tent hire and failing to use a tender process.  “

Herron says the R53 million spent on the camp could have been used to build permanent facilities to be used by homeless people.

The shelter accommodated around 1 500 homeless people in the early days after it was erected: 

Discussion on the report

The leader of the African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Cape Town, Xolani Sotashe, says they want the SIU report discussed before the council.

“What the report does, it vindicates us as the ANC. You will recall we led opposition parties to Strandfontein concentration camp, and we are the ones who raised an alarm about dubious activities by the City of Cape Town, led by Dan Plato and JP Smith and we warned members of the public that if they don’t rise, their money is going to be looted by the City of Cape Town.”

The City of Cape Town in a statement says it has not received the full report of the SIU. They say emergency procurement processes were followed, however, the city will not hesitate to take action against those found to have been in the wrong.

Meanwhile, the SIU says it is seeking legal advice on how to recover the millions.

SIU has so far investigated more than 5 000 coronavirus related contracts:

Share article
Tags: City of Cape TownStrandfontein campSIU
Previous Post

Blitzboks eyeing another World Rugby Sevens title

Next Post

Denmark starts pulling troops out of Mali: Foreign minister

Related Posts

South Africa's Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor shakes hands with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, ahead of their bilateral meeting in Pretoria, South Africa, January 23, 2023.

DA slams SA government for defending the military exercise with Russia

28 January 2023, 9:09 PM
Roy Jankielsohn

Jankielsohn re-elected DA Free State leader

28 January 2023, 6:09 PM
[File photo] EFF leader Julius Malema addresses a media briefing.

EFF cuts ties with IFP in KwaZulu-Natal

28 January 2023, 2:16 PM
Democratic Alliance Leader John Steenhuisen.

DA hopes to gain more ground in the Free State

28 January 2023, 1:22 PM
Central Karoo mayor Gayton McKenzie at work.

Mckenzie warns new Joburg Mayor about DA insults

28 January 2023, 11:27 AM
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula addressing the media in Nasrec, December 2022.

Ramaphosa to announce an energy emergency package

28 January 2023, 9:37 AM
Next Post
Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod attends a news conference at Eigtved's Warehouse in Copenhagen, Denmark June 4, 2021

Denmark starts pulling troops out of Mali: Foreign minister

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Scorcher predicted in Northern Cape for two weeks
  • Gas leak shut, isolated in Pretoria North
  • Residents shut down Komani over power woes
  • Limpopo man arrested after discovery of his wife’s body in water-filled pit toilet
  • ANC slams DA’s march to Luthuli House
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • Premier denies claims that KZN government spent millions on Mampintsha’s funeral
  • Gas leak shut, isolated in Pretoria North
  • Limpopo man arrested after discovery of his wife’s body in water-filled pit toilet
  • EFF cuts ties with IFP in KwaZulu-Natal
  • Ramaphosa to announce an energy emergency package
  • KZN Shark Board bans bathing at beaches amid cyclone Cheneso

LATEST

Despite efforts by African states to curb this illegal practice, many gaps still enable trafficking and smuggling criminal networks to carry out this trade in human beings.
  • South Africa

South Africa is a source, transit and destination for human trafficking


[File Image]A child running away from the dark room.
  • South Africa

NPA applies for cancellation of Gerhard Ackerman’s bail


Jacob Zuma
  • South Africa

Decision on Judge Koen on recusal matter in case involving Zuma to be heard on Monday


Models present creations at the Gucci Fall/Winter 2023/2024 menswear show in Milan, Italy January 13, 2023.
  • Lifestyle

Gucci names De Sarno as creative director with the task of reviving the brand


People carry a banner reading " We are also teaching fighting" as school workers demonstrate for better salaries and working conditions, in Lisbon, Portugal January 28, 2023.
  • South Africa

Tens of thousands of teachers march in Lisbon to demand better pay and conditions


The Lebombo Border Post between South Africa and Mozambique.
  • South Africa

Stolen cars recovered near Mozambican border


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Blitzboks eyeing another World Rugby Sevens title
Next Denmark starts pulling troops out of Mali: Foreign minister