Cipro: Chief Information Officer implicated in tender rigging
The DA is in possession of a sworn affidavit which contains serious allegations of tender rigging against Dr. Michael Twum-Darko, the Chief Information Officer of Cipro. Cipro is an entity that falls within the Department of Trade and Industry.
Urgent action needs to be taken as soon as possible. The DA has been informed that Twum-Darko is about to immigrate to Canada , which means he would escape justice if action is not taken to prevent him from leaving the country.
In the affidavit, Mr. Abe Mbulawa alleges that Twum-Darko and the CEO of Cipro, Keith Sendwe, met with him before the tender went out. He was then advised to partner with a closed corporation by the name of Valor IT. He was also given the confidential business case, as well as the amount budgeted for the Enterprise Management Project. The tender was eventually granted to Valor IT, to the value of R152,7 million. This is despite the fact that the tender amount for the second shortlisted company was only R60 million.
Mbulawa stated in his affidavit that he and Twum-Darko have a long history that dates back to 1988, when they both worked for the Computer Academy of Botswana. Mbulawa also played a role in one of Twum-Darko's previous jobs, as well as in the appointment of Twum-Darko to his present post at Cipro.
The allocation of the tender to Valor IT has drawn the attention of the Auditor-General. The SAPS has also been investigating the allegations, and the file has apparently this week been handed to the National Prosecuting Authority for a decision to prosecute.
The allegations first surfaced when the Chief Operations Officer, Melany Bernard-Fryer made use of "whistle-blowers" legislation. She refused to sign off a payment to Valor IT. She is apparently on sick leave at present. She has also uncovered fraud at the Seta for Packaging (MAPPSETA).
Other controversies around Dr. Twum-Darko include previous concerns, raised by the DA that he appears to have never received the security clearance that is required of a senior post in government. This has to date, never been denied. His staff records indicate that he is a Botswana citizen. His application for South African citizenship has apparently been turned down.
I have asked that the Minister of Trade and Industry, Rob Davis, initiate an independent investigation into this matter.
Statement issued by Andricus van der Westhuizen, MP, Democratic Alliance deputy shadow minister of trade and industry, October 21 2009
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