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Council official denies tender allegations

A senior official at Thabazimbi municipality facing a tender-related corruption charge laid against him by a local businessman is not going to be suspended. Limpopo police spokesman Mohale Ramatseba confirmed yesterday that the Organised Crime Unit was probing allegations levelled against Kgopolang Booysen, a technical manager at Thabazimbi. “We can confirm that a case has been opened, investigations are continuing, and no arrest has been made,” he said. The case against Booysen was opened in July by Johannes Mothlomi, the owner of the Mothlomi Construction Company. He claims he had paid R230 000 for Booysen’s new Audi Q7 in return for the two tenders awarded to his company.

Mothlomi said Booysen first approached him in 2007 and asked to use his company documents to secure a R1.9 million contract to manufacture paving bricks. According to Mothlomi, the tender had not been advertised, and Booysen promised to award it to his company. In 2009, a similar contract, worth R2.2m, was awarded to Mothlomi Construction, again without the tender being put out publicly, said Mothlomi. He now claims that after the municipality had paid his company, he withdrew the cash and handed it over to Booysen. “The problem is that my company’s (construction) certificate is being used but I am not benefiting,” he said. The Star has seen Mothlomi’s bank statement, which indicates that R230 000 was paid into a Pretoria-based car dealership on February 9, 2009 for Booysen’s car. Last week, the dealership promised to verify that the money had been paid for Booysen’s Audi Q7, but reneged on the agreement.

Mothlomi said he was prepared to face the law for having paid a bribe. “At first I was worried, but I am now ready because I did not benefit from the tenders,” he said. Booysen has flatly denied all the allegations levelled against him. He admitted that he owns an Audi Q7, but said Mothlomi had never paid a single cent into it. “He never paid anything; I am still paying for that car myself. What he is saying is absolutely incorrect,” said Booysen. He said Mothlomi has been making allegations against him for the past six months. “He went to the Hawks, and he also went to the police in Thabazimbi, threatening us to pay him R600 000. He must just look for a job,” Booysen said. Although Booysen said Mothlomi Construction had never been awarded a tender by the council, his boss contradicted him. Municipal manager Roger Nkhumise confirmed that Mothlomi had previously been awarded contracts to supply paving bricks. “We awarded it (Mothlomi Construction) tenders before,” said Nkhumise.

Source: iol.co.za

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Council official denies tender allegations

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