Key Takeaways
- Tshwane authorities have yet to blacklist Edwin Sodi and his partners, despite pledging to do so almost three years ago
- The city claims it cannot establish the companies’ addresses, making it impossible to serve them with blacklisting letters
- The National Treasury offered to assist in locating the companies, but all attempts have been unsuccessful
- The city has sought legal advice and has been told it can proceed with the blacklisting process without the affected contractors
- The municipality’s group audit and risk section has been tasked with overseeing the process and seeing it through to a conclusion
Introduction to the Issue
The Tshwane authorities have been criticized for their failure to blacklist Edwin Sodi and his partners, despite pledging to do so almost three years ago. Sodi, a well-known tenderpreneur, has been at the center of controversy, and his blacklisting was seen as a necessary step to prevent him and his companies from securing government contracts. However, the city claims that it has been unable to establish the addresses of Sodi’s companies, making it impossible to serve them with letters informing them of their blacklisting. This has raised questions about the city’s commitment to holding Sodi and his partners accountable for their actions.
The Blacklisting Process
According to a report by the metro’s supply chain management division, the blacklisting process was restarted after engagements with the National Treasury. The city dispatched intention letters to the affected contractors, but these letters could not be delivered, either through physical delivery by the Tshwane metro police department or by registered mail through Postnet. The Treasury offered to help by checking if it had had any recent communication with the companies related to state contracts. However, all these efforts were unsuccessful, and the city was forced to seek legal advice on how to proceed. The legal advice received was that the city could proceed with the matter in the absence of the affected contractors, and the municipality’s group audit and risk section was mandated to preside over the process and see it through to a conclusion.
The Role of the National Treasury
The National Treasury played a significant role in the blacklisting process, offering to assist the city in locating Sodi’s companies. The Treasury checked its records to see if it had had any recent communication with the companies related to state contracts, but this effort was unsuccessful. The Treasury’s involvement highlights the importance of collaboration between government agencies in ensuring that individuals and companies who have been found to have engaged in wrongdoing are held accountable. Despite the Treasury’s efforts, the city’s inability to establish the addresses of Sodi’s companies has hindered the blacklisting process, raising questions about the effectiveness of the city’s efforts to prevent corruption.
The Implications of the Delay
The delay in blacklisting Sodi and his partners has significant implications for the city and its residents. The failure to hold individuals and companies accountable for their actions can create a culture of impunity, where those who engage in wrongdoing are not punished. This can undermine trust in government and institutions, and can also lead to further corruption and abuse of power. The city’s inability to establish the addresses of Sodi’s companies has also raised questions about the city’s capacity to effectively manage its supply chain and prevent corruption. The city must take urgent action to address these concerns and ensure that those who have engaged in wrongdoing are held accountable.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In conclusion, the Tshwane authorities’ failure to blacklist Edwin Sodi and his partners is a concerning development that raises questions about the city’s commitment to preventing corruption. The city’s inability to establish the addresses of Sodi’s companies has hindered the blacklisting process, and the city must take urgent action to address this issue. The municipality’s group audit and risk section has been tasked with overseeing the process and seeing it through to a conclusion, and it is essential that the city provides the necessary support and resources to ensure that this process is completed as soon as possible. The city must also take steps to improve its supply chain management and prevent corruption, including implementing more effective systems for tracking and monitoring contracts and ensuring that those who engage in wrongdoing are held accountable. Only by taking these steps can the city restore trust and ensure that its residents receive the services they deserve.
