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Gordhan wants smart meter probe

The minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Pravin Gordhan, has instructed his Gauteng counterpart to conduct an urgent investigation into the City of Tshwane’s electricity smart meters contract with Peu Capital Partners. Whether or not there were irregularities would only be known early next year, as the law required the MEC to act on the request within 90 days, the minister said. “I have written to the MEC responsible for local government in Gauteng, Jacob Mamabolo, requesting him to conduct an investigation into allegations of possible tender irregularities relating to the Peu Capital Partners contract,” Gordhan said on Wednesday. “All that notwithstanding, I have asked the MEC to provide me with a progress report on the matter within 30 days of receipt of my request, given the urgency of the matter,” said Gordhan.

The minister also repudiated as devoid of any truth a statement by the DA’s mayoral candidate for Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, and the notice of motion given by the DA’s Kevin Mileham in the National Assembly submitted on Tuesday. Both accused him and Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene of not complying with their obligations by failing to conduct a joint investigation into the procurement of the smart electricity meter system. Gordhan said on August 21 and 28 he received two parliamentary questions relating to the cost of collection, cost-benefit and cost of cancellation of the Peu contract. Following receipt of the questions, the department engaged in a series of telephone calls and e-mail correspondence asking the City of Tshwane to provide information to enable the minister to reply. The additional information provided did not enable the minister to reply adequately, and Parliament was informed accordingly, Gordhan’s department said.

However, follow-up requests to the City of Tshwane did not yield additional information to assist to reply to the parliamentary questions. It became clear that a detailed investigation will be necessary to enable him to properly respond to the questions and any possible follow-up questions. City of Tshwane mayoral spokesman Blessing Manale said Kgosientso Ramokgopa would await interaction with Mamabolo to ensure the city fully co-operated with the department in providing relevant information. Manale said the city remained on course with ensuring that a new dispensation was in place by February.

Source: www.iol.co.za

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Gordhan wants smart meter probe

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