Randall Williams, current DA Mayor of Tshwane, doesn’t strike me as a stupid guy. I remember I first heard him speak on a radio interview on Jacaranda FM and he sounded great. He had open and frank answers to the thing we mostly complain about when it comes to municipal issues in metros. He did not sound stupid.

So it begs the question, why is he doing such a stupid thing as ignore the advise of people around him when it comes to the Kratos power station deal?

Some background

An investment proposal, which was pitched by the Kratos consortium, sought to lease two power stations, with an investment plan of R26 billion. 

The group had promised jobs in return for building gas turbines on the land housing the power stations. Williams said the project would be a catalyst for the city and possibly end load shedding. 

But opposition parties – ActionSA, EFF and the ANC – said the proposal could not be entertained without a tender process. Source: News24.com

In a leaked audio recording from a year ago, Tshwane’s executive mayor, Randall Williams, can be heard instructing senior officials to support his executive decision — ‘whether they agree or disagree’ — for an unsolicited bid, while another official warns that the council could face possible litigation.

Daily Maverick

Really Randall?

Basically my understanding is that an unsolicited bid is where a service is provided by a supplier, and there are no other suppliers that can provide the same or a similar service/solution.

In the case where there are other providers that can provide the same or a similar services, then the municipality needs to open it up for a tender and go through that process. In this case, Kratos is looking to convert the two old power stations to gas powered power stations. The problem is that other providers can do the same thing, thus it is not a unique solution and needs to go out for tender.

According to the leaked audio Randal Williams does not agree and wants it done.

I will never disrespect you. I have the highest respect for you. And I regard you as a highly intelligent person. But I’m asking you to allow us to work through this thing,

Unidentified official in leaked audio

So he was advised that this was going to come back and bite him in the be-fucking-hind.

I agree with the opposition on this one

Trying to push a R26 billion project through the process does kinda feel dodgy, doesn’t it?

We live in South Africa were it has become second nature for us to question everything government does that has a price tag attached to it. We normally chatted about it around the braai but after the Gupta Leaks and the Zondo Commision it has basically been confirmed. Most of our government tenders are plagued with corruption. And those are the ones that went through some sort of “legal process”.

The DA has always been very critical about stamping out corruption in government. One would think it is part of their DNA by now. Here comes one of the top DA members and just decides to do the opposite.

But!!! He could have saved him. There is a very simple solution to this Randall. Open it up for tender.

Isn’t that the purpose of opposition parties? To keep the ruling party in check? In this case if we take away the political drama behind the scenes then this is democracy at work and a great example of it. We are however seeing it fail as well. I would expect a party that claims to follow the rule of law to step back, assess the claims by the opposition and do one of two things:

  • A: You guys are right. We did not follow the process and will now put it out to tender
  • B: You guys are wrong. We would like to submit the reasons why this should be an unsolicited bid

Either one of those are smarter than the current route being taken now. Another couple of hours will be wasted on getting Randall out of office. All which could have been avoided if he was being less of a dick-tator and took the advise of one of the officials. I mean c’mon Randall.

Seriously WTF Dude?