Calls for investigation into Gauteng’s R9.7 million gun tender! The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is demanding a full investigation into the Gauteng government’s recent procurement of 124 pistols at R78,000 each, totaling an estimated R9.7 million.
DA shadow MEC Crezane Bosch voiced her concerns on Friday, stating that the cost per pistol was significantly above market value, suggesting possible financial mismanagement within the provincial government.
Bosch has requested that the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) probe the tender, citing it as potentially irregular and overly costly.
Concerns Over Inflated Pricing
Bosch explained that a standard pistol typically costs between R15,000 and R20,000, which is considerably lower than the R78,000 per unit paid by the Gauteng government. This suggests a potential overspend of approximately R58,000 on each pistol, which Bosch argues is unjustifiable even if the department chose high-end models.
She stated, “This contract seems irregular since the pistol price is higher than the market price,” indicating that the high pricing warrants a thorough review of the procurement process.
Bosch raised additional questions regarding the tender’s validity, suggesting that the contract may have been awarded with an intent to favor certain entities. “The DA questions the department’s decision to award this tender, which seems designed to profit someone rather than ensuring cost-effective spending of public funds,” she said.
Bosch emphasized the need for an investigation into possible collusion in the awarding of the tender, which could point to deeper governance issues.
Urgent Need for Resources in Police Departments
In addition to questioning the pistols’ cost, Bosch criticized the government for prioritizing expensive purchases over critical resources that police stations in Gauteng urgently need. She stated that resources such as police vehicles, bulletproof vests, and station maintenance remain scarce in many areas.
“This R9.7 million could have been better used to equip our police stations with essentials,” Bosch argued. She stressed that well-resourced police stations are key to effectively addressing crime, particularly in high-crime areas across Gauteng.
According to Bosch, numerous police stations in the province are struggling due to insufficient resources, poor maintenance, and understaffing.
“It is concerning that while police stations across the province are understaffed and lack essential equipment, funds are allocated to procure overpriced pistols,” she added. Bosch noted that better financial management would allow more funds to go toward directly supporting police work rather than possibly inflated contracts.
Criticism of Gauteng Government’s Transparency
Bosch’s concerns go beyond the pistols’ cost, extending to Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s alleged lack of transparency regarding procurement and government operations. The DA has previously accused Lesufi of concealing 100 forensic reports on various provincial departments, which remain unreleased despite being completed.
These forensic reports, Bosch suggested, likely contain details on procurement and financial misconduct within different departments, which could shed light on questionable spending practices.
Lesufi’s spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla, responded to the DA’s accusations, stating that if Bosch and her party have evidence of corruption, they should approach the relevant authorities. However, Bosch maintained that the DA is dedicated to unveiling corruption and holding the Gauteng government accountable. She asserted, “A DA government would focus on spending taxpayers’ money on resourcing our police stations and ensuring that law enforcement agencies are adequately trained and equipped to deal with crime in the province.”
Bosch insisted that only by prioritizing transparency and proper resource allocation can Gauteng effectively tackle crime and improve public safety.
Allegations of Corruption and Mismanagement
The DA has alleged that certain government departments in Gauteng have become “feeding troughs” for corrupt politicians and officials. According to Bosch, the Department of Community Safety, alongside other departments such as the Gauteng Department of Social Development (GDSD), has become a platform for diverting funds away from essential services.
Bosch argued that the allocation of resources within these departments frequently fails to meet the needs of Gauteng residents and often benefits high-ranking officials.
“The Department of Community Safety, like the GDSD, appears to serve as a vehicle for redirecting public funds to purposes other than service delivery,” she said. Bosch has long criticized the provincial government for failing to root out corruption, emphasizing that the DA is committed to creating a corruption-free province if they gain governance. She believes that a transparent government would prioritize accountability and the judicious use of taxpayer funds.
Moving Forward: Calls for Action and Accountability
Bosch concluded her statement by calling for an end to what she described as widespread corruption within Gauteng’s provincial government. She reiterated that the DA would take a firm stance on corruption, should it govern Gauteng, by implementing strict financial oversight policies and enhancing the transparency of procurement processes.
In light of the DA’s allegations and the Gauteng government’s response, there is a growing public call for transparency in government spending and accountability for those involved in mismanagement. The outcome of the proposed SIU investigation could shed light on whether the recent pistol procurement is a case of legitimate spending or one of potentially questionable practices within Gauteng’s leadership.
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