The FF Plus was planning to lay criminal charges today at the Police Station in Brooklyn against officials who were involved in alleged irregularities with the awarding of tenders for rental agreements for business premises in Pilgrims Rest, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on trade and industry says. Following a discussion about the charges, the station commander advised the FF Plus that the complaint will be dealt with much quicker if it was submitted directly at the Nelspruit Police Station. The FF Plus will therefore on Monday formally lay a complaint with the Nelspruit SAPS.
According to Adv. Alberts, the charges is the outcome of a complaint which the FF Plus had submitted on 6 July last year with the Public Protector (PP), on behalf of 17 owners of business enterprises in the historical mining town, whose rental agreements were scrapped on short notice.
The shop-owners were only given 30 days to vacate their premises so that the new tenants could take over the premises. New contracts were then awarded to the new tenants at a laughably low rental price.
The tender process had, according to the findings of the PP, contained various irregularities and the FF Plus will in accordance with the findings in the PP’s report, lay charges of fraud and corruption against the relevant officials on Monday.
The Mpumalanga department of public works, roads and transport has in the meantime scrapped the tenders, based on the recommendations of the PP and the process will be started from scratch again.
Adv. Alberts says the case is a huge victory for the business people of the town and it proves that the FF Plus stands up for the rights of citizens. He said the new tender procedure will be watched closely to ensure that it is dealt with transparently and honestly.
Contact no.: 082 391 3117
;
