MISMANAGEMENT
Outa in own probe of water infrastructure deals
The organisation believes firms and officials could have capitalised on weaknesses in water infrastructure procurement systems
The Organisation Against Tax Abuse (Outa) is investigating suspected financial mismanagement at the Department of Water and Sanitation. The organisation, which gained a national profile for its resistance to the electronic tolling system set up to pay for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, believes firms and officials could have capitalised on weaknesses in water infrastructure procurement systems to line their pockets. According to auditor-general Kimi Makwetu delays in construction projects are costing the department and its implementing agents millions in each project, as the department has to pay outstanding time bills to contractors. Outa director for water and environment policy Julius Kleynhans said the organisation hoped to conduct a preliminary investigation, stemming from the work Makwetu did in 2016 when he probed water infrastructure projects. "We are sensitive and relying on whistle-blower information. This is where the big money lies. Especially with the drought,...
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