Sanral contests R1.57bn bid

PROBE: UNCOVERED ADJUDICATION IRREGULARITIES IN TENDER AWARD TO CHINESE VENTURE

- Roy Cokayne

Irregularities have been uncovered by an SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) investigation into the adjudication procedure followed in the award of the R1.57 billion Masekwaspoort tender to the Chinese Base Major Construction-CSCEC joint venture (JV), according to sources.

Sanral has now decided to launch a high court application to review and set aside the tender award and the contract.

The roads agency confirmed last Friday that it had completed its investigation, but declined to comment on the outcome.

Sanral media relations manager Lwando Mahlasela said the details of the findings of the investigation "are confidential and will therefore not be shared with third parties at this point".

"Pursuant to the completion of the investigation, Sanral will, in due course, take all steps necessary as a consequence, some of which will soon become public in court proceedings," said Mahlasela.

The investigation was launched in February in terms of an agreement reached with Hillary Construction, the second-lowest bidder for the contract.

The 42-month project is for the improvement of a section of National Route 1 from Masekwaspoort in Limpopo.

Implementation and execution of the contract was suspended by Sanral pending the completion of its investigation.