A storm in a teacup: Western Cape government's response to Public Protector's final report on communications tender investigation
We welcome the release of the Public Protector's final report on the communications tender which vindicates the Western Cape Government on this matter. The report shows, above all, that the entire exercise was a storm in a teacup stirred up by our political opponents. We appreciate the fact that the Public Protector took our comments, and those of our senior counsel, seriously (see here).
The entire affair was a waste of the Public Protector's time and cost the South African taxpayer hundreds of thousands of rands at least, that could better have been spent on service delivery.
In fact, it would be useful to analyse the complainants and their motives which we believe have been shown to be both frivolous and malicious by the content of the final report. In this context, it is also essential to ask who leaked the draft report, an action that the Public Protector states she finds unfortunate and unethical.
From the outset, it was stated in the draft report (and confirmed in the final report) that:
1. There was no corruption in the awarding of the TBWA/Hunt-Lascaris contract.
2. There was no political involvement, interference or manipulation in the procurement process.
3. The Premier was not personally involved in the procurement process.
4. The presence of special advisers on the tender bid evaluation committee made no difference to the outcome of the evaluation.