The IFP in KZN Legislature has lambasted the KZN Premier, Senzo Mchunu for his failure to instruct his office staff in the supply chain management to give priority to local businesses whenever the office of the Premier has events such as Operation Sukuma Sakhe.
“We have noticed that most of the time local businesses are left out in the cold when the Premier’s Office and other provincial government departments are having events in rural areas. Local businesses like the ones in Nkandla were left out recently when the Premier visited that area and service providers were brought in from outside of Nkandla. This shows that the Premier is not concerned about the people of Nkandla. Local businesses must be given preference in providing services like catering, sound system, marquees, etc when events are taking place in their areas,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala.
“Our concern is also extended to the awarding of catering contracts to the same company viz Welile Catering which is the company that gets the majority of the catering contracts at government events. This begs the question of whether there are no other competent catering companies that can provide these services, or there is nepotism in the awarding of catering tenders? This needs to be investigated,” continued Mr Gwala.
“We will raised this matter in the Legislature to demand answers from the Premier and to tell us what plans he has in mind to ensure that local businesses are benefitting from government events in their areas. It doesn’t make any sense to bring companies from other places while local businesses can offer the same service at a much reduced cost, thereby saving tax payers money which could be used to improve service delivery. Outside service providers should be considered only if there are no local companies that can provide the services,” concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala,
IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, 078 290 5842
For Media Enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase,
IFP KZN Legislature Media Officer, 073 024 5675
