The Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, is “disappointed and appalled by the leakage of the [ provisional] report” into the Western Cape government’s R70 million communications contract with TBWA Hunt Lascaris, according to Public Protector spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi.
The provisional report was covered extensively in the Sunday press this weekend. City Press reported on Sunday that the Public Protector has found the contract “invalid.” The Sunday Times wrote that Zille herself was absolved of any blame quoting from the report that “No evidence or information was presented or found … indicating that the premier was in any manner involved in the procurement process.”
The Sunday Times first published allegations that the office of Western Cape premier Helen Zille had awarded the province’s communication budget to agency TBWA Hunt Lascaris without following proper tender procedures in 2011. That story valued the contract at R1 billion over two years.
According to Masibi there are no findings in a provisional report – only observations that constitute a basis for comment by parties to the matter. These observations could only become findings if:
(1) No comments are received
(2) Comments do not contain valid objections.
“The Public Protector will meet with Premier Zille on 17 May 2012 and expects comments from parties by 18 May,” says Masibi. The PP will issue findings by 31 May.
– Western Cape premier responds to provisional Public Protector report on communications tender
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