Johnathan Paoli
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have condemned the recent decision by state transport utility Transnet to award a security contract worth R2 billion to the Fidelity Services Group.
National Spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys said on Tuesday her party would be making submissions, through the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises, for Transnet to account for the awarding of the tender and called for a transparent and thorough investigation into the procurement process.
“Upholding ethical standards is non-negotiable, and we expect Transnet to act decisively in addressing this concern,” Mathys said.
Fidelity Services Group is currently being investigated at Eskom on corruption allegations after it was awarded a tender and Mathys said the awarding of an additional contract to a company, already under investigation, only added to the existing doubts circulating the ethical practices involved.
“The awarding of this contract blatantly signals that corruption in the procurement process is being ignored,” she said.
Matthys said Transnet’s action undermines principles of transparency and fairness which governs such transactions adding that such blatant disregard for ethical conduct further entrenched a culture of impunity and corruption within state-owned enterprises.
“It is no surprise that Transnet would engage with a company mired in serious allegations of misconduct. Our SOEs have been systematically destroyed by the African National Congress (ANC), which has turned them into breeding grounds for corruption and criminality,” Mathys said.
She said the ANC has run these institutions into the ground with neglect and rampant corruption, betraying the public trust and plundering the nation’s resources.
Mathys said there is a need to ensure not only transparency but a commitment to diligent conduct and the highest standards of ethics and governance.
“Any association with companies facing allegations of fraud and irregularities not only tarnishes the reputation of the organisation but also erodes public trust,” she said.
She said her party stood firm in their commitment to fighting corruption and malpractice in all forms while pointing out that upholding ethical standards is non-negotiable and the red berets expected Transnet to act speedily in addressing the current issue at hand.
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