Gxasheka concedes multiple red flags in Ekurhuleni tenders linked to Matlala’s wife

By Johnathan Paoli

Suspended human resources head Linda Gxasheka has acknowledged that a controversial R230-million skills development tender awarded by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality was riddled with warning signs that should have triggered disqualification during adjudication.

Testifying on Friday before the Madlanga Commission, Gxasheka agreed under questioning that numerous anomalies linked to service provider Buena Vista Learning Academy, whose sole director is Tsakani Baloyi, the partner of businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala, ought to have been detected by the municipality’s bid committees.

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“Chair, I fully agree that these are red flags. The timing of the directorship change, the registration on the Central Supplier Database just days before submission, the BEE certificate and bank account opened at the eleventh hour; all of that should have been picked up during the evaluation process. On the face of it,