Tourism CEO fingered in R380m ghost tender for heritage site project

Visitor centre only exists in fantasies

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

A suspended Mpumalanga tourism chief is at the centre of a multimillion-rand scandal after forensic investigators exposed a R9.8-million payment for a phantom R380-million visitor information centre at the Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site in Barberton.

The 103-page Nexia SAB&T forensic report, finalised in May and seen by Sunday World, paints a damning picture of manipulated tenders, unlawful approvals and wasted millions.

Yet, despite its recommendation that criminal charges be laid against senior officials, including suspended Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) CEO Mduduzi Vilakazi, the provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism has kept the document under lock and key.

Vilakazi approved a R9.8-million payment to Vuxaka Consulting Engineers, irregularly appointed to oversee the construction of the site that investigators later confirmed had never been awarded or funded. Vuxaka's payments came in two tranches: R6 817 067 on March 6, 2024 and R3 038464 on July 10, 2024.

Even more brazen, Vilakazi unilaterally approved a R55-million contract beyond his delegated authority.

According to the report, projects worth more than R5-million - and certainly those exceeding R50-million - require board approval. But Vuxaka's appointment was waved through by a seven-member bid adjudication committee and the CEO.