Council, residents in fresh tender storm

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THE Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) has confronted the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) demanding clarity over a tender involving the relocation of a preschool in Makokoba to open way for a garage.

THE Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) has confronted the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) demanding clarity over a tender involving the relocation of a preschool in Makokoba to open way for a garage.

BY KHANYILE MLOTSHWA

Bulawayo City Council employees sweep the gravel road before the tarmac is applied on Gwabalanda road.
Bulawayo City Council employees sweep the gravel road before the tarmac is applied on Gwabalanda road.

The residents’ association has, for the past months, kept the local authority under pressure over awarding of tenders and allocation of stands, amid fears of underhand dealings within the local authority.

Last week, BPRA petitioned Parliament demanding an investigation into council affairs around land and property deals.

In a letter dated April 26, 2016 and addressed to acting town clerk Sikhangele Zhou, BPRA co-ordinator Rodrick Fayayo requested “for information on granting of application for relocation of Tshaka Pre-school Stand number 2585 Makokoba to a site opposite St Columbus Secondary School”.

“A careful analysis of the council meeting minutes dated March 2, 2016 indicate that Trek Petroleum and Ajay Properties both applied for a tender to relocate Tshaka Pre-school to a piece of land opposite St Columbus School.

The minutes also reveal that Ajay was applying for the second time after their first application was denied in 2011. As indicated in the meeting minutes, the majority of councillors agreed to award the tender to Trek in March 2016,” Fayayo said.

The letter was also copied to mayor Martin Moyo, health, housing and education committee chairperson, director of housing and community services department, Isaiah Magagula, director of health services department and Bulawayo Provincial Affairs minister Eunice Sandi Moyo.

Fayayo claimed the awarding of the tender raised a stink.

“Therefore, BPRA requests that you provide clarity on the following issues –on what basis was the client granted the tender?” he asked.

“Were the necessary and appropriate tender procedures followed? On what basis was Ajay Motorways denied the tender in 2011 and what has changed about those circumstances? Can we see the minutes to attest to that?”

Fayayo said BPRA wanted all this information so that, “we do our duty of ensuring transparency and accountability”.