Phokwane Local Municipality apparently paid R866,000 to a media company for adverts and to publish a Christmas message from the mayor.
THE CASH-strapped Phokwane Local Municipality apparently paid R866,000 to a media company for adverts and to publish a Christmas message from the mayor.
According to bank statements and invoices, the municipality processed a payment of R866,000 to Tabea Media on January 6.
On December 1, 2021, the municipality was issued an invoice by Tabea Media for R27,500 for a full-page advert for the cancellation of a tender.
On January 3, another invoice for R27,000 was sent for a half-page colour advert for the mayoral Christmas message, while an invoice for R582,000 was sent for a 39-centimetre by 4 column advert in the Sunday Times on January 3.
Tabea Media invoiced a payment of R229,500 for an advert for eight full-colour pages and two quarter colour pages on January 3.
Forum4Service Delivery councillor and regional co-ordinator Moeketsi Ntema on Thursday called for a full investigation into the transactions.
“Tabea Media is a newspaper based in Taung. The amount exceeds R500,000 and we never saw any tenders advertised for these adverts. The prices appear to be heavily inflated,” said Ntema.
“We also want details from the supply chain management section of Phokwane Municipality regarding the nature of the adverts.
“We are also not aware of any council resolution that was taken to authorise these payments and did not see quotations from any other service providers.”
Ntema believed that the funds could have been used to improve service delivery.
“Residents are still without water in Jan Kempdorp and Valspan. We need to take decisive steps to prevent the council coffers from being looted and if there was any wrongdoing, officials should be held personally liable in repaying back this money.”
Phokwane Municipality spokesperson Kgalalelo Letshabo stated that the matter was brought to the attention of the acting municipal manager, Mpho Mojaki.
“The matter is under internal investigation. Upon finalisation of the investigation, the matter will be communicated and made public,” said Letshabo.
